Professional courtesy
Encyclopedia
Professional courtesy is the tradition among physician
s not to charge for treatment of each other's family. 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
.
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. In addition, states such as California
issue "confidential plate
s" to employees in law enforcement, as well as such diverse groups as judges, district attorneys, jail guards, district attorney
s 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. 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.
The phrase may also be applied in a literal form, such as required ethical behavior of lawyers towards each other.
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
s not to charge for treatment of each other's family. 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
Hippocrates
Hippocrates of Cos or Hippokrates of Kos was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles , and is considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine...
.
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. In addition, states such as California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
issue "confidential plate
Vehicle registration plate
A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies the vehicle within the issuing region's database...
s" to employees in law enforcement, as well as such diverse groups as judges, district attorneys, jail guards, district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
s investigators, National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
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. Even serious offences such as drunk driving are subject to professional courtesy "discretion", and federal law
Federal law
Federal law is the body of law created by the federal government of a country. A federal government is formed when a group of political units, such as states or provinces join together in a federation, surrendering their individual sovereignty and many powers to the central government while...
assists in the process by exempting police officers and firefighters from a federal law that requires truckers to be blood-tested after an accident.
The phrase may also be applied in a literal form, such as required ethical behavior of lawyers towards each other.