Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/552

 520

PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963

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[77 STAT.

in its nature, that he has acquired in attending a patient in a professional capacity and that was necessary to enable him to act in that capacity, whether the information was obtained from the patient or from his family or from the person or persons in charge of him. (b) This section does not apply to: (1) evidence in criminal cases where the accused is charged with causing the death of, or inflicting injuries upon, a human being, and me disclosure is required in the interests of public justice; or (2) evidence relating to the mental competency or sanity of an accused in criminal trials where the accused raises the defense of insanity, or in the pretrial or posttrial proceedings involving a criminal case where a question arises concerning the mental condition of an accused or convicted person. § 14-^08. Assessment officials as expert witnesses in condemnation proceedings In an action for the condemnation of lands, an olficial or other employee of the District, charged with the duty of appraising real property for assessment purposes, is not disqualified, by reason of the fact that he is so employed, from testifying as an expert witness to the market value of lands, and as to benefits. § 14-309. Clergy A priest, clergyman, rabbi, or other duly licensed, ordained, or consecrated minister of a religion authorized to perform a marriage ceremony in the District of Columbia or duly accredited practitioner of Christian Science may not be examined in any civil or criminal proceedings in the courts of the District of Columbia with respect to any— (1) confession, or communication, made to him, in his professional capacity in the course of discipline enjoined by the church or other religious body to which he belongs, without the consent of the person making the confession or communication; or (2) communication made to him, in his professional capacity in the course of giving religious or spiritual advice, without the consent of the person seeking the advice; or (3) communication made to him, in his professional capacity, by either spouse, in connection with an effort to reconcile estranged spouses, without the consent of the spouse making the communication. CHAPTER 5—DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE Sec. 14-BOl. 14-602. 14-608. 14-604. 14-506. 14-606. 14r-507.

Proof of record. Records of deeds, instraments, and wills. Record of will as prima facie evidence of contents and execution. Force in District of Ck>lumbia of wills probated elsewhere. Municipal ordinances and regulations. Certified mail return receipts as prima facie evidence of delivery. Other methods of proof.

§ 14-501. Proof of record An exemplification of a record under the hand of the keeper of the record, and the seal of the court or office where the record is made, is good and sufficient evidence to prove a record made or entered in any State, territory, commonwealth or possession of the United States. The certificate of the person purporting to be the keeper of the record, accompanied by the seal, is prima facie evidence of that fact.

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