marital communications privilege (Alabama) · Go Syfert
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marital communications privilege in Alabama

7 Alabama opinions name it 1 courts 1986–2025 2 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Alabama courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (5)

CaseFollowedCited
United States v. Jake Keller Nealgreen
ca10 · 1984 · cited in 4 Alabama opinions naming this issue, 1986–2011
2 sentences

2011“In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: “ ‘If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commis sion of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the “fruits” of the crime or “covers up” evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to protect the spouse who committed the crime from voluntary incriminating testimony of hi

1990In addressing this issue, Judge Patterson, writing for the Court, stated as follows: "In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: "`If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commission of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the "fruits" of the crime or "covers up" evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to prot

44
State v. Terrygreen
njsuperctappdiv · 2013 · cited in 2 Alabama opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025Super. 587, 603 , 66 A. 3d 177, 187 (2013) ("Indeed, all eleven federal circuits that have faced the issue have concluded that communications between spouses jointly engaging in criminal activity are excluded from the marital communications privilege."); United States v. Byrd, 750 F.2d 585, 589 (7th Cir. 1984) ("The 'joint participants' exception holds that the privilege does not apply where the spouses are both participants in the crime at issue.").

2025Super. 587, 603 , 66 A. 3d 177, 187 (2013) ("Indeed, all eleven federal circuits that have faced the issue have concluded that communications between spouses jointly engaging in criminal activity are excluded from the marital communications privilege."); United States v. Byrd, 750 F.2d 585, 589 (7th Cir. 1984) ("The 'joint participants' exception holds that the privilege does not apply where the spouses are both participants in the crime at issue.").

22
United States v. Cornell Byrdgreen
ca7 · 1985 · cited in 2 Alabama opinions naming this issue, 2025–2025
2 sentences

2025Super. 587, 603 , 66 A. 3d 177, 187 (2013) ("Indeed, all eleven federal circuits that have faced the issue have concluded that communications between spouses jointly engaging in criminal activity are excluded from the marital communications privilege."); United States v. Byrd, 750 F.2d 585, 589 (7th Cir. 1984) ("The 'joint participants' exception holds that the privilege does not apply where the spouses are both participants in the crime at issue.").

2025Super. 587, 603 , 66 A. 3d 177, 187 (2013) ("Indeed, all eleven federal circuits that have faced the issue have concluded that communications between spouses jointly engaging in criminal activity are excluded from the marital communications privilege."); United States v. Byrd, 750 F.2d 585, 589 (7th Cir. 1984) ("The 'joint participants' exception holds that the privilege does not apply where the spouses are both participants in the crime at issue.").

22
United States v. Irving Kahn and Minnie Kahngreen
ca7 · 1973 · cited in 1 Alabama opinions naming this issue, 2011–2011
1 sentence

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

11
United States v. Newton P. Van Drunengreen
ca7 · 1974 · cited in 1 Alabama opinions naming this issue, 2011–2011
1 sentence

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Alabama. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (10)

CaseCitedYears
Ballard v. Virginia green
scotus · 1985
2 sentences

2011“In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: “ ‘If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commis sion of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the “fruits” of the crime or “covers up” evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to protect the spouse who committed the crime from voluntary incriminating testimony of hi

1990In addressing this issue, Judge Patterson, writing for the Court, stated as follows: "In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: "`If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commission of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the "fruits" of the crime or "covers up" evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to prot

41986–2011
Galloway v. Allsbrook green
scotus · 1985
2 sentences

2011“In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: “ ‘If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commis sion of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the “fruits” of the crime or “covers up” evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to protect the spouse who committed the crime from voluntary incriminating testimony of hi

1990In addressing this issue, Judge Patterson, writing for the Court, stated as follows: "In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: "`If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commission of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the "fruits" of the crime or "covers up" evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to prot

41986–2011
Neal v. United States green
scotus · 1985
2 sentences

2011“In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: “ ‘If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commis sion of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the “fruits” of the crime or “covers up” evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to protect the spouse who committed the crime from voluntary incriminating testimony of hi

1990In addressing this issue, Judge Patterson, writing for the Court, stated as follows: "In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1086 , 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated: "`If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commission of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the "fruits" of the crime or "covers up" evidence thereof by any means, then the marital communications privilege does not apply to prot

21990–2011
State v. Browder green
alacrimapp · 1986
2 sentences

1991State v. Browder, 486 So.2d 504 (Ala.Cr.App.1986).

1987The trial court initially relied on Arnold v. State, 353 So.2d 524 (Ala.1977) in reaching that decision This court in its opinion in Browder, supra, overruled this determination and stated as follows: “In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, [470] U.S. [1086], 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated ‘If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commission of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the “fruits” of the

21987–1991
United States v. Kahn green
scotus · 1974
2 sentences

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

12011–2011
Pennsylvania v. Lopinson green
scotus · 1973
1 sentence

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

12011–2011
Richardson v. Hamilton International Corp. green
scotus · 1973
1 sentence

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

12011–2011
Agnew v. United States green
scotus · 1974
1 sentence

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

12011–2011
Bryant v. Nelson green
scotus · 1974
1 sentence

2011We held: “The confidential communications privilege is based on the premise of preservation of the family. ‘The privilege for confidential marital communications is thought to do this by encouraging the spouses to be frank and open with each other by protecting marital privacy.’ United States v. Van Drunen, 501 F.2d 1393, 1396 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1091 , 95 S.Ct. 684 , 42 L.Ed.2d 684 (1974) (citing United States v. Kahn, 471 F.2d 191, 194 (7th Cir. 1972), cert. denied, 411 U.S. 986 , 93 S.Ct. 2271 , 36 L.Ed.2d 964 (1973), rev’d on other grounds, 415 U.S. 143 , 94 S.Ct. 977 , 39 L

12011–2011
Arnold v. State green
ala · 1977
1 sentence

1987The trial court initially relied on Arnold v. State, 353 So.2d 524 (Ala.1977) in reaching that decision This court in its opinion in Browder, supra, overruled this determination and stated as follows: “In United States v. Neal, 743 F.2d 1441, 1446 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, [470] U.S. [1086], 105 S.Ct. 1848 , 85 L.Ed.2d 146 (1985), the court stated ‘If ... the spouse who did not conspire to or participate in the commission of the crime nevertheless thereafter, with knowledge of the fact that the other spouse did commit the crime, actively, by overt acts, participates in the “fruits” of the

11987–1987

Where else courts name it

AZ 10 (1994–2022) CA 8 (1975–2025) MI 8 (1986–2026) AL 7 (1986–2025) NJ 7 (1994–2022) KY 6 (1997–2021) TN 6 (2000–2006) NC 6 (2008–2022) WA 5 (1992–2018) MN 5 (1990–2014) CT 5 (2004–2016) SD 5 (1982–2015) OH 4 (1999–2012) IL 4 (2014–2020) OR 4 (1978–2023) IN 3 (1996–2007) MD 3 (1991–2019) UT 3 (2000–2021) IA 3 (2001–2015) AK 2 (2012–2018)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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