The procedure by which a judge inspects evidence outside the presence of the litigants or third parties. Judges commonly conduct in camera inspections to determine the validity of a litigant's claim (usually asserted in a privilege log) that certain documents are protected from disclosure by the attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine, or other applicable privilege or protection.

For a description of the standard and procedures for requesting in camera inspection of attorney-client communications that are alleged to be discoverable because they were made to further a crime or fraud, see Practice Notes, Attorney-Client Privilege: Exceptions (Federal): Crime-Fraud Exception and Attorney-Client Privilege: Overview (Federal).