NH Supreme Court Overturns Precedent To Protect Mental Health Records

NH Supreme Court Overturns Precedent To Protect Mental Health Records

By DAMIEN FISHER, InDepthNH.org An alleged victim of childhood sexual abuse was about to have records of her counseling and therapy sessions handed over to her abuser. The accused, Gene Zarella, wanted to plumb the depths of the woman’s therapy and crisis counseling records in order to discredit her as a witness in his upcoming criminal trial. And until this week, the woman had no way to stop her private mental health information from being used…

NH Supreme Court backs victims mental health records in landmark decision

For the first time, the state’s highest court applied the right of privacy to a criminal case to restrict the defendant's access to the alleged victim's confidential counseling and mental health records.