Confidentiality and the Law: Can the Social Worker Be in Contempt of Court? A Review of the Current Law of Privileged Communications in New York State and a Defense of Social Worker-Client Privilege, 1965
Abstract
In this study I have attempted to write of something that concerned and affected me. I was employed by a public agency and was subpeonaed to testify in court. The sight of a client with whom I had a very close and confidential relationship and who was on trial for a violation of a Federal statute made me realize more strongly the importance of our profession. The client had told me of her many personal and social failings ; but I had considered her a person of some strength and worth. The judge did not take cognizance of the confidentiality of our interviews and ordered me to tell what the client had said to me and what I personally knew of her behavior. I believe the jury accepted my knowledge of the client (I was introduced as an expert witness) but I was not permitted to give my evaluation of her behavior. I am convinced that my testimony had much to do with the unusual severity of the sentence.
Subject Area
Communication|Political science|Social work
Recommended Citation
Ziporkis, Jack, "Confidentiality and the Law: Can the Social Worker Be in Contempt of Court? A Review of the Current Law of Privileged Communications in New York State and a Defense of Social Worker-Client Privilege, 1965" (1965). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30308762.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30308762
