Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Emails as Evidence in Child Custody Case

I am a pastor in Virginia. My wife and I have been counselling one of our former youth members some of which has been done via email. The child is currently in a custody process in which the child would like to be removed from the home and placed with foster parents. The child has given us information tht could prove to be damaging to the potential custody parents and also information that could prove damaging to her maternal parents. The childs current pastor and her parents would like the email information.

Are there any laws protecting the privacy of these emails or the privacy between a pastor and a church member.


Asked on 6/18/04, 9:09 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Patrick Stiehm Stiehm Law Office

Re: Emails as Evidence in Child Custody Case

1. Take a look at Virginia Code � 8.01-400 to see if you might fit under that statute. This howevery is only the first step, since you are not an attorney and you need legal advice on this issue.

2. Contact your church, state or national office and see if they can help you with a staff or retained attoreny who is knowledgable in this area.

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Answered on 6/18/04, 9:54 am


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