Abstract

The article discusses the duty of confidentiality of probation officers and court appointed guardians (professional and volunteer) who acquired privileged information in the course of their work. The article also indicates the origins of confidentiality as well as its objective, substantive and temporal scope. The article also describes the right of probation officers called as witnesses to refuse to testify under Art. 180 § 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the right to refuse to answer a question under Art. 261 § 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. It also discusses waiver of the duty of confidentiality and consequences of its violation by a probation officer.