2007-02-05 15:00:16 · 12 answers · asked by numb nuts 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
All Counselor's/therapists etc have doctor/patient privilege, however the counselor is REQUIRED by law to report to authorities Any indication that the patient may commit harm to themselves or someone else (including threatning to kill someone)
The law will then decide how to act on the information, You could questioned by authorities, you could be institutionalized, But your counselor cannot have you thrown in jail. She simply is required to report your threat to law enforcement, It is up to them to decide what to do. they will usually go along with he counselor's recommendation.
i.e. The counselor says to the police "He threatened to kill Johnny, but there's nothing at all to lead me to believe he would act on this threat, he was simply voicing his anger in my opinion"
the police would probably just make a report on it and leave it alone.
2007-02-05 15:31:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it seemed plausible (not just "I'm going to KILL this person" mouthing-off), then he has a legal obligation to inform the authorities.
You can't be jailed for a crime you haven't (yet) committed, but I guess they can put you in a mental institution for evaluation.
2007-02-05 15:23:15 · answer #2 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thinking about killing someone isn't a crime. Doing it is. Don't be stupid, if someone has pissed you off avoid them. Spending the rest of your life in jail is a pretty sucky way to get revenge.
Hope you don't live in a death penalty state.
2007-02-05 15:04:51 · answer #3 · answered by last_defender 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not jailed, but if your counselor believes you, he may be able to get you committed. No law is broken until you either act or you tell the person himself you are going to kill him (i.e. terroristic threatening).
2007-02-05 15:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by obamaforprez 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's very possible. The counselor must inform authorities if he/she believes the client will do bodily harm to self or others... after that, it is their call.
2007-02-05 15:08:18 · answer #5 · answered by TQTX37A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He can get you hospitalized as a threat to another. If you followed through and killed someone, he could testify to your statements.
2007-02-05 15:04:36 · answer #6 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He shouldn't have to. If your sane enough to say it and wonder about the out come you are sane enough to get your-self some help. Also stupid doesn't count for in-sane.
2007-02-05 15:38:15 · answer #7 · answered by DixeVil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he can have you put in the mental ward and possibly jail
2007-02-05 15:03:29 · answer #8 · answered by glamour04111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can't tell anyone about anything you tell him. Unless you really do it. I wouldn't repeat this if I was you.
2007-02-05 15:04:59 · answer #9 · answered by Mia W 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Only if you go thru with it.
2007-02-05 15:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋