Legal Definitions - marital-privacy doctrine

The marital-privacy doctrine is a principle that limits the government's involvement in private family matters, such as sexual relations between married individuals. It was first recognized in the Griswold v. Connecticut case in 1965.

For example, the doctrine used to prevent state intervention in cases of domestic violence. However, with the increasing emphasis on individual privacy rights, the doctrine no longer discourages government protection from domestic violence.

In simple terms, the marital-privacy doctrine means that the government should not interfere in the private affairs of married couples unless there is a compelling reason to do so.