There is a new controversial law in Washington’s books that clergy are in a real tiff about. It requires priests to break the confessional seal to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect. Priests claim it is an egregious act of religious discrimination because it violates the First Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The law requires clergy to be mandatory reporters like health care workers and school personnel. Currently, there are only a handful of states that require clergy to mandatorily report what is said during confession (if there is disclosure of abuse and/or neglect). How far the Catholic leaders’ lawsuit will go in the courts is tough to say. It will certainly be interesting to see how it all plays out. As we often say at SQ Attorneys – ‘stay tuned’.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
