Opinion ID: 877972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: constitutionality of section 41-3-404, mca

Text: Is section 41-3-404(3), MCA, unconstitutionally void for vagueness? Section 41-3-404(3), MCA, provides: (3) In all civil and criminal proceedings relating to abuse, neglect, or dependency, none of the privileges related to the examination or treatment of the child and granted in Title 26, chapter 1, part 8, except the attorney-client privilege granted by 26-1-803, apply. The father claims that it is unclear whether section 41-3-404(3), MCA, allows parents to testify in youth in need of care proceedings, and it is therefore unconstitutionally void for vagueness. We find no vagueness in the above statute. It provides that, with the exception of the attorney-client privilege granted under section 26-1-803, MCA, no exceptions are granted in civil and criminal proceedings related to abuse, negligence or dependency actions. Having found previously that under section 26-1-802, MCA, that a wife may testify against her husband in a sexual abuse hearing, we have, therefore, determined that the above statute is not unconstitutionally void due to vagueness.