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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 8Ch. 4Art. 7§ 1017 Court-Ordered Psychotherapist Exceptions

§ 1017 Court-Ordered Psychotherapist Exceptions

Evidence Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1017 Court-Ordered Psychotherapist Exceptions

Key Takeaways

  • •If a judge orders a therapist to check on someone, what the person says isn’t private.
  • •This rule doesn’t count if a lawyer asks for the check to help with a crazy plea in court.
  • •If prison officials order a check on someone in jail, what the person says isn’t private.

Example

A judge tells a therapist to talk to someone who got arrested.

Whatever the arrested person tells the therapist can be used in court because the judge ordered it.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1017 Court-Ordered Psychotherapist Exceptions

(a) There is no privilege under this article if the psychotherapist is appointed by order of a court to examine the patient, but this exception does not apply where the psychotherapist is appointed by order of the court upon the request of the lawyer for the defendant in a criminal proceeding in order to provide the lawyer with information needed so that he or she may advise the defendant whether to enter or withdraw a plea based on insanity or to present a defense based on his or her mental or emotional condition. (b) There is no privilege under this article if the psychotherapist is appointed by the Board of Prison Terms to examine a patient pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 (commencing with Section 2960) of Chapter 7 of Title 1 of Part 3 of the Penal Code. (Amended by Stats. 1987, Ch. 687, Sec. 1.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

privilegepsychotherapistcourt-appointedinsanity pleaBoard of Prison Terms

Related Statutes

  • § 1015 Psychotherapist Privilege Claim Duty
  • § 1018 Crime Or Tort Exception
  • § 1024 Dangerous Patient Disclosure Duty
  • § 1026 Psychotherapist Reporting Exceptions
  • § 1010.5 Patient-Psychologist Communication Privilege

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 1017.
View Official Source