Privacy rights in mental health counseling: Constitutional confusion and the voicelessness of third parties in criminal cases.

The past 20 years of criminal law and practice have produced much heat but little light on the issue of when, if ever, the accused in a criminal case can legitimately seek disclosure of a victim's privileged files that exist exclusively in the custody of a private third party. In many jurisdictions, forced disclosure is routine, and victims must choose between justice and privacy, resulting in either the dismissal or underprosecution of serious violence or the victim's opting to forego necessary treatment. This dilemma is disproportionately imposed on women and child victims of sexual violence, and it threatens to prevent healing for a significant percentage of victimized persons. This article outlines the legal and policy interests of third parties in this debate and offers a model set of procedures to protect against needless harm to third parties, while respecting the important rights of the criminally accused.