Edwards v. Vesilind

OPINION BY CHIEF JUSTICE DONALD W. LEMONS

This appeal arises from a civil contempt order entered after the Division of Legislative Services ("DLS") and several Members of the General Assembly, invoking legislative privilege, refused to comply with a production order in a matter pending before the circuit court. The court held that legislative privilege, as set forth in the Speech or Debate Clause of Article IV, Section 9 of the Constitution of Virginia ("the Clause"), 1 does not extend to DLS or to documents and communications between Members of the General Assembly and consultants, DLS, or…