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The Spousal Testimonial Privilege and Harm to a Child

By Janice G. Inman
July 31, 2012

As discussed last month, married parties are generally permitted by the common law, and sometimes by statutory law, to keep their spouses from testifying against them. The common-law basis of this spousal privilege was society's interest in promoting the strength of marriage by encouraging open communications between husbands and wives. Siveke v. Keena, 110 Misc.2d 4 (1981). The State of New York has codified the spousal confidentiality privilege at subdivision (b) of Civil Practice Law & Rules (CPLR) ' 4502. It states: “(b) Confidential communication privileged. A husband or wife shall not be required, or, without consent of the other if living, allowed, to disclose a confidential communication made by one to the other during marriage.”

An Exception, Now Repealed

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