House Bill 1012, also known as Senate Bill 1107, amends the Tennessee Code Annotated to clarify the accountability of attorneys regarding their conduct in legal proceedings. The bill establishes that attorneys acting on behalf of clients are not immune from prosecution for specific offenses, including perjury, aggravated perjury, subornation of perjury, tampering with or fabricating evidence, destruction of governmental records, and coercion of witnesses. This amendment aims to reinforce the expectation that attorneys must adhere to the Tennessee Rules of Professional Conduct and maintain honesty and integrity in their dealings with the court.

The bill emphasizes the importance of truthfulness in the legal profession, stating that attorneys who engage in deceptive practices undermine the rule of law and public trust in the legal system. By explicitly stating that attorneys can be prosecuted for serious offenses related to dishonesty and manipulation of evidence, the legislation seeks to hold legal professionals accountable and ensure that the pursuit of justice remains a priority within the Tennessee justice system.