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The Florida Senate

2014 Florida Statutes

Title XLVI CRIMES
Chapter 895 OFFENSES CONCERNING RACKETEERING AND ILLEGAL DEBTS Entire Chapter
SECTION 06
Civil investigative subpoenas.
F.S. 895.06
895.06 Civil investigative subpoenas.—
(1) As used in this section, the term “investigative agency” means the Department of Legal Affairs, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, or the office of a state attorney.
(2) If, pursuant to the civil enforcement provisions of s. 895.05, an investigative agency has reason to believe that a person or other enterprise has engaged in, or is engaging in, activity in violation of this act, the investigative agency may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses or material, and collect evidence.
(3) The investigative agency may apply ex parte to the circuit court for the circuit in which a subpoenaed person or entity resides, is found, or transacts business for an order directing that the subpoenaed person or entity not disclose the existence of the subpoena to any other person or entity except the subpoenaed person’s attorney for a period of 90 days, which time may be extended by the court for good cause shown by the investigative agency. The order shall be served with the subpoena, and the subpoena shall include a reference to the order and a notice to the recipient of the subpoena that disclosure of the existence of the subpoena to any other person or entity in violation of the order may subject the subpoenaed person or entity to punishment for contempt of court. Such an order may be granted by the court only upon a showing:
(a) Of sufficient factual grounds to reasonably indicate a violation of ss. 895.01-895.06;
(b) That the documents or testimony sought appear reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence; and
(c) Of facts which reasonably indicate that disclosure of the subpoena would hamper or impede the investigation or would result in a flight from prosecution.
(4) If matter that the investigative agency seeks to obtain by the subpoena is located outside the state, the person or enterprise subpoenaed may make such matter available to the investigative agency or its representative for examination at the place where such matter is located. The investigative agency may designate representatives, including officials of the jurisdiction in which the matter is located, to inspect the matter on its behalf and may respond to similar requests from officials of other jurisdictions.
(5) Upon failure of a person or enterprise, without lawful excuse, to obey a subpoena issued under this section or a subpoena issued in the course of a civil proceeding instituted pursuant to s. 895.05, and after reasonable notice to such person or enterprise, the investigative agency may apply to the circuit court in which such civil proceeding is pending or, if no civil proceeding is pending, to the circuit court for the judicial circuit in which such person or enterprise resides, is found, or transacts business for an order compelling compliance. Except in a prosecution for perjury, an individual who complies with a court order to provide testimony or material after asserting a privilege against self-incrimination to which the individual is entitled by law shall not have the testimony or material so provided, or evidence derived therefrom, received against him or her in any criminal investigation or proceeding.
(6) A person who fails to obey a court order entered pursuant to this section may be punished for contempt of court.
History.—s. 1, ch. 79-218; s. 2, ch. 84-38; s. 4, ch. 87-139; s. 20, ch. 88-381; s. 1448, ch. 97-102.
Note.—Former s. 943.465.