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Legal Developments

Issues that affect ministers and churches
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StateTitle Category

New Mexico Court: Child Abuse Reporting Laws Did Not Apply to Pastor’s Testimony Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Defamation Claim Dismissed Due to Church’s “Qualified Privilege” Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications; Defamation

Sexual Abuse Conviction Upheld Despite the Defendant’s Claim His Pastor Broke Privilege Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Pastor’s Conversation with the Defendant Allowed in Murder Case Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Pastor Allowed to Testify at a Man’s Sexual Abuse Trial Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Defendant's Meeting with Pastor Was Not for Spiritual Advice Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

A Murder Confession to a Pastor Not Considered Privileged Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Pastor’s Multiple Acts of Sexual Misconduct Not Necessarily Protected by First Amendment Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications; Sexual Misconduct by Clergy, Lay Employees, and Volunteers

Clergy-Penitent Privilege Not Applicable to a Conversation with a Church Elder Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Compelling Priest to Disclose Confidential Information Violated Religious Freedom Restoration Act Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Murder Suspect's Statements to Church Employee Not Privileged Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

First Amendment Religion Clauses Prohibit Court from Resolving Confidential Communications Claim  Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Clergy-Penitent Privilege May Not Protect Church Elders Who Did Not Report Child Abuse Case Member access only

Child Abuse Reporting; Confidential and Privileged Communications

Incriminating Statements Made to Pastor Not Confidential Due to Public Setting, Retelling to Others Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Lay Bible Study Leader Successfully Invokes Clergy-Penitent Privilege Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications; Counseling

Author's Identity of Anonymous Letter Not Protected by Clergy-Penitent Privilege Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

‘Spiritual Adviser’ Limits of Clergy-Penitent Privilege Outlined by Massachusetts Court Ruling Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Federal Court Notes Limits and Protections of Psychotherapist-Patient Privilege and Clergy-Penitent Privilege Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Clergy-Penitent Privilege Invalid in Murder Case Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications

Conversations Shouldn't Have Been Used for Prosecution Member access only

Confidential and Privileged Communications