You are here: / / IN THIS SEXUAL ABUSE CASE, THE CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS SHOULD...
, , ,

IN THIS SEXUAL ABUSE CASE, THE CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH RECORDS SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY THE JUDGE IN CAMERA TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY RECORDS ARE RELEVANT TO THE RESPONDENT’S CLAIM THE CHILD FABRICATED THE SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS; FAMILY COURT PROPERLY DENIED RESPONDENT’S REQUEST FOR DISCOVERY OF THE RECORDS (FIRST DEPT). ​

The First Department, reversing (modifying) Family Court, held the judge properly denied discovery of the child’s mental health records in this sexual abuse proceeding, but the judge should review the records in camera to determine if any records support respondent’s position that the child fabricated the sexual abuse allegations:

Confidential mental health records may only be disclosed upon a finding by a court that “the interests of justice significantly outweigh the need for confidentiality” (Mental Hygiene Law § 33.13[c][1]). Pursuant to Family Court Act § 1038(d), the court must conduct a balancing test to weigh “the need of the [moving] party for the discovery to assist in the preparation of the case” against “any potential harm to the child [arising] from the discovery” … .

… [G]iven respondent’s need to prepare his defense, his right to impeach the child’s credibility as she is likely to be a witness, and the child’s diminished interest in the confidentiality of older records from an institution that is not currently providing services to her, we find that an in camera review of the … records is warranted … . …

… [W]e find that the Family Court properly denied his request for those records … . Were a court to grant such a request on the sparse showing in this case, virtually every child’s therapy records would be subject to exposure. Matter of Briany T. (Justino G.), 2022 NY Slip Op 00629, First Dept 2-1-22

 

You might also like
IN THIS NEGLECT PROCEEDING STEMMING FROM THE PARENTS’ REFUSAL TO ALLOW THEIR TEENAGE CHILD TO RETURN HOME, THE PARENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO PRESENT EVIDENCE OF THEIR TEENAGE CHILD’S BEHAVIOR WHICH RESULTED IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AND AN ORDER OF PROTECTION IN FAVOR OF FATHER, AS WELL AS EVIDENCE OF THEIR ATTEMPTS TO MEET WITH THE AGENCY AND WORK OUT A PLAN (FIRST DEPT). ​
PROPERTY OWNER, AS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED UNDER THE SECURITY COMPANY’S POLICY, WAS NOT ENTITLED TO COVERAGE FOR A SECURITY GUARD’S SLIP AND FALL ON A RECENTLY MOPPED FLOOR, THE ADDITIONAL INSURED WAS THE SOLE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE INJURY (FIRST DEPT).
PLAINTIFF IN THIS WHISTLEBLOWER ACTION ENTITLED TO DISCOVER MEDICAL RECORDS WHICH ARE PROTECTED UNDER THE HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW (FIRST DEPT).
THE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WAS DEEMED NONCONSENSUAL SOLELY BECAUSE THE VICTIM WAS 14; THE DEFENDANT WAS 27; DEFENDANT WAS NOT ENTITLED TO A DOWNWARD DEPARTURE TO RISK LEVEL ONE; THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIVE DISSENT (FIRST DEPT).
½ Inch Differential Was Trivial and Could Not Be Basis of Liability
DEFENDANTS’ MOTIONS TO AMEND THEIR ANSWERS IN THIS MED MAL CASE TO ALLEGE PLAINTIFF’S CULPABLE CONDUCT AND COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE (RE: HER WEIGHT AND SMOKING) SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED; THE DELAY IN MAKING THE MOTION CAUSED NO PREJUDICE; GOOD CAUSE FOR THE DELAY NEED NOT BE SHOWN; FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE AMENDED PLEADINGS WITH THE MOTION PAPERS AND DEFECTS IN VERIFICATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN OVERLOOKED (FIRST DEPT).
MASSIVE 750-FOOT TOWER CRANE DESTROYED BY HURRICANE SANDY NOT COVERED UNDER “TEMPORARY WORKS” CLAUSE IN INSURANCE POLICY.
RENOVATION WORK ON DEFENDANTS’ TOWNHOUSE RENDERED PLAINTIFFS’ TOWNHOUSE, WHICH WAS NEXT DOOR, UNINHABITABLE; A LICENSE AGREEMENT WHICH GRANTED DEFENDANTS ACCESS TO PLAINTIFFS’ TOWNHOUSE INCLUDED A LIQUIDATED DAMAGES PROVISION WHICH WAS VALID AND ENFORCEABLE; PLAINTIFFS’ ACTION SOUGHT SOME EQUITABLE RELIEF BUT PRIMARILY SOUGHT MONEY DAMAGES; THEREFORE PLANTIFFS’ DEMAND FOR A JURY TRIAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN STRUCK (FIRST DEPT).

Categories

Sign Up for the Mailing List to Be Notified When the Site Is Updated.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 2025 New York Appellate Digest, Inc.
Site by CurlyHost | Privacy Policy

THE WRENCH WHICH FELL AND STRUCK PLAINTIFF COULD HAVE BEEN TETHERED TO THE WORKER... QUESTION OF FACT WHETHER THE CONTINUOUS TREATMENT DOCTRINE RENDERED THIS DENTAL...