Can a court conduct an in camera review of privileged communications to determine whether they fall within the crime-fraud exception?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from Cunningham v. Connecticut Mut. Life Ins., 845 F. Supp. 1403 (S.D. Cal. 1994):

The court in its discretion may conduct an in camera review of privileged communications to resolve whether they fall within the crime-fraud exception. However, only nonprivileged relevant evidence lawfully obtained is used to determine whether to conduct an in camera review. See United States v. Zolin, 491 U.S. 554, 574, 109 S.Ct. 2619, 2632, 105 L.Ed.2d 469 (1989). The party seeking disclosure must establish facts "to support a good faith belief by a reasonable person" that the exception applies. Id. at 572, 109 S.Ct. at 2631. The evidence does not have to be "independent" of the contested communication. Id. at 574, 109 S.Ct. at 2632. The same evidence used to determine whether to conduct an in camera review may also provide the basis for finding that the crime-fraud exception applies.

Other Questions


What is the "control" test applied by the California Court of Appeal to determine whether the California Department of Justice has a role in determining whether or not the California Board of Representatives has any role in the decision? ("New York", United States of America)
What is the test for a federal district court to determine whether a state court or federal court has jurisdiction to rule on a federal Railroad Commission case? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for determining whether age was a determining factor in determining whether a plaintiff should be retained or discharged? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
Does a federal court have jurisdiction to determine whether a state court's determination was incorrect? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
If a court finds that a sanction imposed by a district court was an abuse of power, does the court have any authority to determine whether the sanction was abused or abused? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for determining whether a party’s intention is a determining factor in determining whether there is a contract for services? (Canada (Federal), Canada)
When assessing the evidence presented at trial, does a reviewing court need to conduct a thorough review of the state court record? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
What is the test for determining whether a state court made an unreasonable determination of the facts? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
In what circumstances will the US Supreme Court consider whether the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court has any authority or authority to issue an opinion in the context of judicial review? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
When there has not been a psychiatric evaluation, hearing or judicial determination of competence, when there has been no evidentiary review of the record, what is the test for determining whether defendant Lowenstein is competent to stand trial? (MultiRegion, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.