Code of Alabama - Title 15: Criminal Procedure - Section 15-23-42 - Confidentiality of communications with victim counselor

Section 15-23-42 - Confidentiality of communications with victim counselor.

(a) A victim, a victim counselor without the consent of the victim, or a minor or incapacitated victim without the consent of a custodial guardian or a guardian ad litem appointed upon application of either party, cannot be compelled to give testimony or to produce records concerning confidential communications for any purpose in any criminal proceeding.

(b) A victim counselor or a victim cannot be compelled to provide testimony in any civil or criminal proceeding that would identify the name, address, location, or telephone number of a safe house, abuse shelter, or other facility that provided temporary emergency shelter to the victim of the offense or transaction that is the subject of the proceeding unless the facility is a party to the proceeding.

(c) The confidential communication privilege of a victim counselor with respect to communications made between the counselor and the victim shall terminate upon the death of the victim.

(Acts 1987, No. 87-598, p. 1040, §2; Acts 1995, No. 95-536, p. 1094, §1.)

Last modified: May 3, 2021