West Virginia § 48-1-301 Communications between clergy and party

West Virginia Statutes

§ 48-1-301 — Communications between clergy and party

West Virginia § 48-1-301

Ch. 48DOMESTIC RELATIONS

Art. 1GENERAL PROVISIONS; DEFINITIONS

This text of West Virginia § 48-1-301 (Communications between clergy and party) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

W. Va. Code § 48-1-301 (2026).

Text

(a)A party to a domestic relations action cannot compel a member of the clergy to testify regarding any communications or statements made to the member of the clergy in his or her capacity as spiritual counselor or spiritual adviser by a party to the action, if the following conditions exist:

(1)Both the clergy and the party making such communications or statements claim that the communications or statements were made to the clergy in his capacity as a clergy and spiritual counselor or spiritual adviser to such party;

(2)No person, other than a member of the clergy, a party and the spouse of the party, was present when such communications or statements were made; and

(3)The party making such communications or statements does not either consent to their disclosure or otherwise waive

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

(a) A party to a domestic relations action cannot compel a member of the clergy to testify regarding any communications or statements made to the member of the clergy in his or her capacity as spiritual counselor or spiritual adviser by a party to the action, if the following conditions exist:

(1) Both the clergy and the party making such communications or statements claim that the communications or statements were made to the clergy in his capacity as a clergy and spiritual counselor or spiritual adviser to such party;

(2) No person, other than a member of the clergy, a party and the spouse of the party, was present when such communications or statements were made; and

(3) The party making such communications or statements does not either consent to their disclosure or otherwise waive the privilege granted by this section.

(b) The privilege granted by this section shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other privileges recognized by law.