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HomeEvidence CodeDiv. 8Ch. 4Art. 6§ 997 Crime Or Tort Exception

§ 997 Crime Or Tort Exception

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

§ 997 Crime Or Tort Exception

Key Takeaways

  • •Doctors can't keep secrets if you ask them for help to do something bad or illegal.
  • •If you go to a doctor to hide a crime or plan one, the doctor can tell the police.
  • •This rule is about stopping people from using doctors to break the law.

Example

Someone gets hurt during a robbery and goes to the doctor to hide the wound.

The doctor can tell the police because the person was trying to hide a crime.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 997 Crime Or Tort Exception

There is no privilege under this article if the services of the physician were sought or obtained to enable or aid anyone to commit or plan to commit a crime or a tort or to escape detection or apprehension after the commission of a crime or a tort. (Enacted by Stats. 1965, Ch. 299.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

privilegephysiciancrimetortdetectionapprehension

Related Statutes

  • § 1018 Crime Or Tort Exception
  • § 995 Physician Communication Privilege Claim
  • § 1000 Patient Communication Privilege Limits
  • § 1001 Physician-Patient Duty Breach
  • § 1002 Patient Intent Property Documents

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Evidence Code. Section 997.
View Official Source