(1) 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 chapter, the investigative agency may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses or material, and collect evidence.
(2) A subpoena issued pursuant to this chapter is confidential for 120 days after the date of its issuance. The subpoenaed person or entity may not disclose the existence of the subpoena to any person or entity other than his or her attorney during the 120-day period. The subpoena must include a reference to the confidentiality of the subpoena and a notice to the recipient of the subpoena that disclosure of the existence of the subpoena to any other person or entity except the subpoenaed person’s or entity’s attorney is prohibited. 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 an additional period of time for good cause shown by the investigative agency. The order shall be served on the subpoenaed person or entity with the subpoena, and the subpoena must 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 that reasonably indicate that disclosure of the subpoena would hamper or impede the investigation or would result in a flight from prosecution.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) A person who fails to obey a court order entered pursuant to this section may be punished for contempt of court.
(6) The investigative agency may stipulate to protective orders with respect to documents and information submitted in response to a subpoena issued under this section.
(7)(a) Information held by an investigative agency pursuant to an investigation of a violation of s. 895.03 is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution.
(b) Information made confidential and exempt under paragraph (a) may be disclosed by the investigative agency to:
1. A government entity in the performance of its official duties.
2. A court or tribunal.
(c) Information made confidential and exempt under paragraph (a) is no longer confidential and exempt once all investigations to which the information pertains are completed, unless the information is otherwise protected by law.
(d) For purposes of this subsection, an investigation is considered complete once the investigative agency either files an action or closes its investigation without filing an action.
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; s. 1, ch. 2015-99; s. 3, ch. 2016-84; s. 1, ch. 2020-90.
Note.—Former s. 943.465.