Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

Opening and reading of my mail at work before I receive it.

Can you please tell me what the law says and if it is illegal or legal for anyone to open and read my mail before I receive it at work? Each time I receive mail it has been opened by someone at the police dept. where I work before I get it.Who if anyone can open and read my mail and why? They even open letters from lawyers. Which specific state and or federal law governs this? What if anything can be done to stop this and can the city be sued or criminally charged?


Asked on 10/12/01, 9:58 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Opening and reading of my mail at work before I receive it.

This is probably a policy of the local police department, and it's also unlikely that there's

much that you can do about it, absent getting yourself appointed to the chief's position.(This practice goes on in many government agencies and there are no laws that I'm aware of that specifically prohibit it.)

Receiving personal mail at work is generally a bad idea, and if I were you, I would make alternative arrangements.

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Answered on 11/26/01, 5:14 pm


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