Scott v. Hammock

STEWART, Associate Chief Justice:

The United States District Court for the District of Utah certified to this Court the following question of law: “Whether non-penitential communications between a lay person and a clergyman are privileged under Utah law.” We accepted the certification pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 78-2-2(1) (1992 & Supp.1993). We hold that nonpeni-tential communications are privileged under Utah law if they are intended to be confidential and are made for the purpose of seeking spiritual counseling, guidance, or advice from a cleric acting in his or her professional role and…