In most states (actually all that I know of), spouses can be forced to testify as to facts that they witnessed, but not as to anything told to them by their spouse.
For example, if you are driving a car and have an accident, if your wife was in the car then she can be forced to testify as to everything that she witnessed, even if she witnessed you driving drunk. If your wife was not in the car but you told her later on that you were drunk and it was all your fault, she cannot be forced to testify as to anything you told her.
The same basic privilege rules apply to your attorney. If your lawyer was in your car he can be forced to testify what he witnessed. If your lawyer was not in the car he cannot be forced to testify as to what you later told him.
It is the communication that is privileged.
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It is the communication that is privileged.
Hmmm, this goes a long way in understanding the manner in which atonement (protective covering) is provided through sincere confession.
4. Fear not; for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded; for you shall not be put to shame; for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more:
5. For (= because) your Maker is your husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and your redeemer the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the earth:
6. For the Lord has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, but a wife of youth, Can she be rejected? says your God:
Psalm 32
1. A Psalm of David, A Maskil; Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered:
2. Happy is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile:
5. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin; Selah:
In most states (actually all that I know of), spouses can be forced to testify as to facts that they witnessed, but not as to anything told to them by their spouse.
Psalms 51:9-10
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Thanks much!