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Churches and clergy

clergy-penitent privilege

The clergy-penitent privilege—also known as the clergy privilege, confessional privilege, priest-penitent privilege, clergyman-communicant privilege, or ecclesiastical privilege—is a rule of privilege in the law of evidence that allows a person who has confided in a member of the clergy (minister, priest, rabbi, or other leader of an established church or religious organization) to refuse to disclose, and to prevent the clergy member from disclosing a confidential communication.

In Wyoming, the clergy-penitent privilege is recognized and codified in state law. This privilege ensures that confidential communications made by an individual to a clergy member during the course of spiritual counseling are protected from disclosure in legal proceedings. The individual who has made the confession, or sought counsel, holds the privilege and can choose to waive it, but without such waiver, the clergy member is generally not permitted to reveal the contents of the conversation. This privilege is intended to preserve the confidentiality of the relationship between individuals and their spiritual advisors, similar to the confidentiality that exists between an attorney and their client. It is important to note that there may be exceptions to this privilege, such as cases involving child abuse or neglect, where state law may require clergy to report certain information to authorities.

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Churches and clergy

clergy-penitent privilege

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Wyoming State Code

Wyoming State Code

Churches and clergy

clergy-penitent privilege

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