Rule 501 Privilege in General

Some conversations and communications are protected by law. This means one person can refuse to share what was said or written, and courts must respect that. Common examples are conversations with your lawyer, doctor, therapist, or spouse.

Arizona courts decide whether a privilege applies by looking at past court decisions, logic, and real-world experience. However, if the U.S. Constitution, the Arizona Constitution, a state or federal law, or a Supreme Court rule says something different, those sources take priority over the general common law approach.

If you believe certain information in your case should be protected, you can raise that argument in court. The judge will look at the law and prior cases to decide whether the protection applies to your situation.