A privileged communication is a statement that you cannot be forced to disclose in a legal proceeding because it was made in connection with a legally-protected relationship. Some of the privileged communications recognized by Florida law are:
- Journalist's privilege;
- Lawyer-client privilege;
- Psychotherapist-patient privilege;
- Sexual assault counselor-victim privilege;
- Domestic violence advocate-victim privilege;
- Husband-wife privilege;
- Communications to clergy;
- Accountant-client privilege;
- Privilege with respect to trade secrets;
- Accident-report privilege.
One of the more commonly-known privileges is #2, the lawyer-client privilege. What you may not know, however, is:
a. This privilege does not exist when a client hires a lawyer for the purpose of committing a crime;
b. This privilege does not exist if a client sues his lawyer for malpractice; and
c. This privilege is waived if a client voluntarily discloses to a third party things she said to her lawyer.