Date, Location, Cite: 1996 IL
116 S.Ct. 1923
US SUPREME COURT
Redmond was a security guard, killed Allen as an intruder, a mistake. She saw Beyer, a
SW for therapy after the shooting. The trial court ordered therapy notes, overriding
arguments about psychotherapist-patient privilege. They refused, and at trial the jury was
told they could assume the notes showed bad things. The Court of Appeals said Fed Rule 501
recognized the privilege. The Supreme Court Agreed, saying:Therapist-patient privilege is
protected, and this is an evolving part of the law..."[t]he mental health of the
Nation... is a public good of transcendent importance."
First federal recognition of psychotherapist-patient privilege in unequivocal terms.
