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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Spousal communications privilege
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A quick definition of Spousal communications privilege:
The spousal communications privilege is a rule that says that when two people are married, they can keep their private conversations secret. This means that if one spouse tells the other something in confidence, the other spouse cannot be forced to reveal what was said in court. However, both spouses have to agree to keep the conversation private. If one spouse wants to talk about what was said, the privilege can be waived and the conversation can be used as evidence in court.
A more thorough explanation:
The spousal communications privilege is a legal rule that protects confidential conversations between two married spouses. This means that if one spouse tells the other something in confidence, the other spouse cannot be forced to testify about it in court.
For example, if a husband tells his wife that he committed a crime, the wife cannot be forced to testify about that conversation in court. The spousal communications privilege applies even if the husband and wife are no longer married.
However, the spousal communications privilege can be waived if both spouses agree to it. For example, if the husband and wife both agree to testify about their conversation, the privilege no longer applies.
The spousal communications privilege is an important protection for married couples, as it allows them to have open and honest conversations without fear that their words will be used against them in court.