Evidentiary privileges in Washington, D.C.

Black’s Law defines “privilege” as a “special legal right, exemption or immunity granted to a person or class of persons; an exception to a duty.”

Black’s Law continues:  “A privilege grants someone the legal freedom to do or not to do a given act.  It immunizes conduct that, under ordinary circumstances, would subject the actor to liability.” 

The following are privileges that are recognized in D.C.:

–lawyer/client
—marital communications
–doctor/patient
–psychotherapist/patient
–penitent/clergy member