6VAC35-101-690: Contact with attorneys, courts, and law enforcement

A. Residents shall have uncensored, confidential contact with their legal representative in writing, as required by 6VAC35-101-660 (residents' mail), by telephone, or in person. Reasonable limits may be placed on such contacts as necessary to protect the security and order of the facility. For the purpose of this section a legal representative is defined as (i) a court appointed or retained attorney or a paralegal, investigator, or other representative from that attorney's office or (ii) an attorney visiting for the purpose of a consultation if requested by the resident.

B. Residents shall not be denied access to the courts.

C. Residents shall not be required to submit to questioning by law enforcement, although they may do so voluntarily.

1. Residents' consent shall be obtained prior to any contact with law enforcement.

2. No employee may coerce a resident's decision to consent to have contact with law enforcement.

3. Each facility shall have procedures for establishing a resident's consent to any such contact and for documenting the resident's decision. The procedures may provide for (i) notification of the parent or legal guardian, as appropriate and applicable, prior to the commencement of questioning; and (ii) opportunity, at the resident's request, to confer with an attorney, parent or legal guardian, or other person in making the decision whether to consent to questioning.