Jaffe V. Redmond Case Study

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[The case of Jaffe v. Redmond, 518 U.S. 1 (1996), was a landmark case for patient privilege that was heard by the Supreme Court in 1996. The case brought up the issue of client privilege and whether a social worker and client’s relationship should be protected. The Supreme Court found in favor of Redmond in the case however, Justice Scalia dissented in the case. In this research his dissent will be explored and an argument for protection of the relationship between a social worker and their client will be made. [For the purpose of explaining the Supreme Court decision the case will be briefly explained. In June 1991, Mary Redmond was a police officer in Illinois that responded to a call of a fight at an apartment complex (Beyer, 2000). Redmond arrived to find Ricky Allen chasing another man and wielding a butcher knife (Beyer, 2000). Redmond repeatedly ordered Allen to drop the knife, but Allen did not comply (Beyer, 2000). It appeared that Allen was going to stab the man he was chasing, so Redmond shot Allen (Beyer, 2000). He succumbed to his wound and died at the scene (Beyer, 2000). [Ricky Allen’s mother, Mrs. Jaffe, …show more content…

Secondly, that psychotherapists do not differ from the rest of society, federal privilege was not necessary due to the state laws that already exist to cover the psychotherapy privilege (Cornell, 1996). Moreover, Justice Scalia was known to adhere to the letter of the Constitution, the fact that the majority decision was creating a ruling when Congress had declined to do so was cause for his dissent. As was the skill level of social workers and their professionalism (Cornell, 1996). In spite of the Justice’s opinion there are many people who feel that the psychotherapy relationship is one that deserves

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