Florida Statutes 322.71 – Investigations; examinations; proceedings; subpoenas and other process; witnesses; oaths; rules
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Terms Used In Florida Statutes 322.71
- Court: means any tribunal in this state or any other state, or any federal tribunal, which has jurisdiction over any civil, criminal, traffic, or administrative action. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Department: means the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles acting directly or through its duly authorized representatives. See Florida Statutes 322.01
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- person: includes individuals, children, firms, associations, joint adventures, partnerships, estates, trusts, business trusts, syndicates, fiduciaries, corporations, and all other groups or combinations. See Florida Statutes 1.01
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Subpoena duces tecum: A command to a witness to produce documents.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
(1) The department may conduct investigations and examinations of any person suspected of violating or of having violated any provision of this chapter or any rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(2) For purposes of any investigation or examination conducted pursuant to this section, the department may exercise the power of subpoena and the powers to administer oaths or affirmations, to examine witnesses, to require affidavits, to take depositions, and to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents, records, and other evidence. Such subpoenas may be served by an authorized representative of the department.
(3) If a person refuses to testify; to produce books, papers, documents, or records; or to otherwise obey the subpoena or subpoena duces tecum issued under subsection (2), the department may petition a court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the person’s residence or principal place of business is located, upon which the court must issue an order requiring such person to obey the subpoena or show cause for failing to obey the subpoena. Unless the person shows sufficient cause for failing to obey the subpoena, the court must direct the person to obey the subpoena. Failure to comply with such order constitutes contempt of court.
(4) For the purpose of any investigation, examination, or proceeding initiated by the department under this chapter, the department may designate agents to serve subpoenas and other process and to administer oaths or affirmations.
(5) Information received by the department as a result of an investigation or examination conducted pursuant to this section is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and Fla. Const. Art. I, § 24(a) until the investigation or examination ceases to be active or administrative action taken by the department has concluded or been made part of a hearing or court proceeding. The department may release information that is made confidential and exempt under this subsection in furtherance of its official duties and responsibilities or, if released to another governmental agency, in the furtherance of that agency’s official duties and responsibilities. This subsection is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with s. 119.15 and shall stand repealed on October 2, 2026, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature.
(6) The department may adopt rules to administer this section.