Court Opinion

ID: 9846413
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 03:40:24.968503+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:29.398425
License: Public Domain

McGRAW, Justice,
dissenting:
I fail to see how something that is no longer privileged, because it was published, or a doctor waived his or her privilege, can ever become privileged again. While the Circuit Court of Grant County theoretically could have sealed the information, if it did not seal it, I do not believe the Circuit Court of Kanawha County would have that power in this case.
Unless one entitled to a privilege assiduously guards it by requesting protective orders when confidential information is used in open court, I cannot see how a second court could “recover” the lost confidentiality. Simply stated, short of mass hypnosis, the genie can’t be put back in the bottle. .
For the reasons stated, I must respectfully dissent.