When Can Privileged Communication Be Broken?

Some relationships that provide the protection of privileged communication include attorney-client, doctor-patient, priest-parishioner, two spouses, and (in some states) reporter-source. If harm—or the threat of harm—to people is involved, the privileged communication protection disappears.

Under what circumstances privileged communication can be claimed?

Essentials to claim Privileged Communication:

The communication should take place in private. The information communicated cannot be disclosed to a third party as the privileged status ends once the information is disclosed to a third party who was not a part of the interaction. [ii]

What is not considered privileged communication?

A communication is not confidential, and therefore not privileged, if it is overheard by a third party who is not an agent of the listener. Agents include secretaries and other employees of the listener.