12
Opinion of the Court
sations between psychotherapists and their patients would surely be chilled, particularly when it is obvious that the circumstances that give rise to the need for treatment will probably result in litigation. Without a privilege, much of the desirable evidence to which litigants such as petitioner seek access—for example, admissions against interest by a party—is unlikely to come into being. This unspoken "evidence" will therefore serve no greater truth-seeking function than if it had been spoken and privileged.
That it is appropriate for the federal courts to recognize a psychotherapist privilege under Rule 501 is confirmed by the fact that all 50 States and the District of Columbia have enacted into law some form of psychotherapist privilege.11
We have previously observed that the policy decisions of the States bear on the question whether federal courts should
11 Ala. Code § 34-26-2 (1975); Alaska Rule Evid. 504; Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 32-2085 (1992); Ark. Rule Evid. 503; Cal. Evid. Code Ann. §§ 1010, 1012, 1014 (West 1995); Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-90-107(g) (Supp. 1995); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-146c (1995); Del. Uniform Rule Evid. 503; D. C. Code Ann. § 14-307 (1995); Fla. Stat. § 90.503 (Supp. 1992); Ga. Code Ann. § 24-9-21 (1995); Haw. Rules Evid. 504, 504.1; Idaho Rule Evid. 503; Ill. Comp. Stat., ch. 225, § 15/5 (1994); Ind. Code § 25-33-1-17 (1993); Iowa Code § 622.10 (1987); Kan. Stat. Ann. § 74-5323 (1985); Ky. Rule Evid. 507; La. Code Evid. Ann., Art. 510 (West 1995); Me. Rule Evid. 503; Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code Ann. § 9-109 (1995); Mass. Gen. Laws § 233:20B (1995); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 333.18237 (West Supp. 1996); Minn. Stat. § 595.02 (1988 and Supp. 1996); Miss. Rule Evid. 503; Mo. Rev. Stat. § 491.060 (1994); Mont. Code Ann. § 26-1-807 (1994); Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-504 (1995); Nev. Rev. Stat. § 49.215 (1993); N. H. Rule Evid. 503; N. J. Stat. Ann. § 45:14B-28 (West 1995); N. M. Rule Evid. 11-504; N. Y. Civ. Prac. Law § 4507 (McKinney 1992); N. C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.3 (Supp. 1995); N. D. Rule Evid. § 503; Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2317.02 (1995); Okla. Stat., Tit. 12, § 2503 (1991); Ore. Rules Evid. 504, 504.1; 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5944 (1982); R. I. Gen. Laws §§ 5-37.3-3, 5-37.3-4 (1995); S. C. Code Ann. § 19-11-95 (Supp. 1995); S. D. Codified Laws §§ 19-13-6 to 19-13-11 (1995); Tenn. Code Ann. § 24-1-207 (1980); Tex. Rules Civ. Evid. 509, 510; Utah Rule Evid. 506; Vt. Rule Evid. 503; Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-400.2 (1992); Wash. Rev. Code § 18.83.110 (1994); W. Va. Code § 27-3-1 (1992); Wis. Stat. § 905.04 (1993- 1994); Wyo. Stat. § 33-27-123 (Supp. 1995).
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