Judges: Robert A. Butterworth Attorney General
Filed Date: 10/12/1994
Status: Precedential
Modified Date: 7/5/2016
Ms. Phyllis Slater General Counsel Florida Department of State The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
Dear Ms. Slater:
You ask substantially the following question:
Is a subpoena duces tecum considered "proper judicial order" for purposes of releasing confidential registration and circulation records of a public library under the provisions of section
In sum:
While a subpoena duces tecum is not an order signed by a judge, the custodian of confidential registration and circulation records of a public library may not ignore a subpoena for production of such records based upon the confidentiality provisions in section
Section
All registration and circulation records of every public library, except statistical reports of registration and circulation, shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s.
The plain language of the statute states that the manner in which information contained in the registration and circulation records of a public library may be released is in accordance with "proper judicial order." The term "proper judicial order," however, is not defined for purposes of Chapter
Generally, the term "judicial order" has been defined1 as "[o]ne which involves exercise of judicial discretion and affects final result of litigation."2 While this definition may appear more related to a final judgment in a proceeding, the common characterization of its being "judicial" in nature would lead to the conclusion that "proper judicial order" is one that originates from the court. An "order of court" has been defined as the "judgment or conclusion of a court on any motion or proceeding by which affirmative relief is granted or denied."3
Thus, a broad term such as "proper judicial order" would include the exercise of judicial discretion by a judge in reaching a conclusion on a motion or proceeding in which affirmative relief is sought. In this instance, the custodian of confidential material contained in registration and circulation records of a public library may release such information upon the direction of a court order.
Section
The state attorney shall have summoned all witnesses required on behalf of the state; and he is allowed the process of his court to summon witnesses from through-out the state to appear before him in or out of term time at such convenient places in the state attorney's judicial circuit and at such convenient times as may be designated in the summons, to testify before him as to any violation of the criminal law upon which they may be interrogated, and he is empowered to administer oaths to all witnesses summoned to testify by the process of his court or who may voluntarily appear before him to testify as to any violation or violations of the criminal law.
The state attorney has been characterized as a "one man grand jury" and is the investigatory and accusatory arm of the judicial system, subject only to limitations imposed by the Constitution, common law and statutes for the protection of individual rights.4
This office has determined that the word "process," as used in section
A subpoena duces tecum commands the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, papers, documents or tangible things designated therein.6 While a subpoena duces tecum is not an order issued by a judge, it is process of the court enforceable by contempt proceedings.7 Thus, the custodian of confidential library registration and circulation records may not ignore the subpoena duces tecum based upon the provisions of section
Under a similar situation, section
(a) Issued by a state attorney, a United States attorney, or a court in a criminal investigation or a criminal judicial proceeding; (b) Issued by a state or federal grand jury; or (c) Issued by a state attorney, the Department of Legal Affairs, a United States attorney, or a court in the course of a civil investigation or a civil judicial proceeding under the state or federal racketeer influenced and corrupt organization act or under chapter 896.8
Thus, the Legislature has recognized that an order of a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction and a subpoena duces tecum may be used to gain access to confidential records.9
The Legislature's use of the term "proper judicial order" in section
Sincerely,
Robert A. Butterworth Attorney General
RAB/tls