Professional courtesy
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Professional courtesy is the tradition among physicians not to charge for treatment of each other's family.[1] The purpose was to discourage physicians from having members of their own family as patients, as well as to foster bonds among physicians. The custom dates back to Hippocrates.[2]
In more recent times the term has also been used to describe the practice by law enforcement officers of not reporting each other for what they consider to be minor violations. Many American law enforcement employees also distribute "family cards" to friends and family to produce at, for example, a traffic stop where an ordinary member of the public would get a ticket.[3] In addition, states such as California issue "confidential plates" to employees in law enforcement, as well as such diverse groups as judges, district attorneys, jail guards, district attorneys investigators, National Park Service rangers, city council members and city attorneys. Many police departments waive citations issued to those driving cars with "confidential plates", citing professional courtesy as the justification.[4] Even serious offences such as drunk driving are subject to professional courtesy "discretion", and federal law assists in the process by exempting police officers and firefighters from a federal law that requires truckers to be blood-tested after an accident.[5]
The phrase may also be applied in a literal form, such as required ethical behavior of lawyers towards each other.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "AMA Code of Medical Ethics, E-6.13, Professional Courtesy". http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/8376.html. Retrieved 2006-12-13.[dead link]
- ^ Rathbun, Katharine C., M.D.; Richards, Edward P. III, J.D.; Professional Courtesy; Missouri Medicine; 1998;95:18-20; (on-line).
- ^ "Professional Courtesy". NJLawman.com. http://njlawman.com/Feature%20Pieces/Professional%20Courtesy.htm. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
- ^ "Special license plates shield officials from traffic tickets". ocregister.com. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dmv-police-confidential-2011354-program-records. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ Nalder, Eric; Kamb, Lewis; Investigative, P-I (2007-08-05). "A broken system works in favor of cops busted for DUI". seattlepi.com. http://www.seattlepi.com/specials/undueinfluence/326446_dui06.html. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ "Code of Professional Courtesy". Kentucky Bar Association. http://www.kybar.org/Default.aspx?tabid=228. Retrieved 2006-12-13.
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