Cite as: 518 U. S. 1 (1996)
Opinion of the Court
social workers.17 We therefore agree with the Court of Appeals that "[d]rawing a distinction between the counseling provided by costly psychotherapists and the counseling provided by more readily accessible social workers serves no discernible public purpose." 51 F. 3d, at 1358, n. 19.
We part company with the Court of Appeals on a separate point. We reject the balancing component of the privilege implemented by that court and a small number of States.18
Making the promise of confidentiality contingent upon a trial judge's later evaluation of the relative importance of the patient's interest in privacy and the evidentiary need for disclosure would eviscerate the effectiveness of the privilege. As
17 See Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 32-3283 (1992); Ark. Code Ann. § 17-46-107 (1995); Cal. Evid. Code Ann. §§ 1010, 1012, 1014 (West 1995); Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-90-107 (1987); Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-146q (1995); Del. Code Ann., Tit. 24, § 3913 (1987); D. C. Code Ann. § 14-307 (1995); Fla. Stat. § 90.503 (1991); Ga. Code Ann. § 24-9-21 (1995); Idaho Code § 54-3213 (1994); Ill. Comp. Stat., ch. 225, § 20/16 (1994); Ind. Code § 25-23.6-6-1 (1993); Iowa Code § 622.10 (1987); Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-6315 (Supp. 1990); Ky. Rule Evid. 507; La. Code Evid. Ann., Art. 510 (West 1995); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann., Tit. 32, § 7005 (1988); Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code Ann. § 9-121 (1995); Mass. Gen. Laws § 112:135A (1994); Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 339.1610 (West 1992); Minn. Stat. § 595.02(g) (1994); Miss. Code Ann. § 73-53-29 (1995); Mo. Rev. Stat. § 337.636 (Supp. 1996); Mont. Code Ann. § 37-22-401 (1995); Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-1,335 (1995); Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 49.215, 49.225, 49.235 (1993); N. H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 330-A:19 (1995); N. J. Stat. Ann. § 45:15BB-13 (West 1995); N. M. Stat. Ann. § 61-31-24 (Supp. 1995); N. Y. Civ. Prac. Law § 4508 (McKinney 1992); N. C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.7 (1986); Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2317.02 (1995); Okla. Stat., Tit. 59, § 1261.6 (1991); Ore. Rev. Stat. § 40.250 (1991); 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 § 36- 26-30 (1994); Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-23-107 (1990); Tex. Rule Civ. Evid. 510; Utah Rule Evid. 506; Vt. Rule Evid. 503; Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-400.2 (1992); Wash. Rev. Code § 18.19.180 (1994); W. Va. Code § 30-30-12 (1993); Wis. Stat. § 905.04 (1993-1994); Wyo. Stat. § 33-38-109 (Supp. 1995).
18 See, e. g., Me. Rev. Stat. Ann., Tit. 32, § 7005 (1964); N. H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 330-A:19 (1995); N. C. Gen. Stat. § 8-53.7 (1986); Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-400.2 (1992).
17
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