Florida § 377.32 - Issuance of subpoenas; service, etc.

§ 377.32. Issuance of subpoenas; service, etc.

(1) The division is hereby empowered to issue subpoenas for witnesses, to require their attendance and the giving of testimony before it, and to require the production of books, papers, and records in any proceeding before the division as may be material upon questions lawfully before the division. Such subpoenas shall be served by the sheriff or any other officer authorized by law to serve process in this state. No person shall be excused from attending and testifying, or from producing books, papers, and records before the division or a court, or from obedience to the subpoena of the division or a court, on the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of the person may tend to incriminate him or her or subject him or her to a penalty or forfeiture; provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring any person to produce any books, papers, or records, or to testify in response to any inquiry not pertinent to some question lawfully before the division or court for determination. No natural person shall be subjected to criminal prosecution or to any penalty or forfeiture for, or on account of, any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he or she may be required to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, before the division or court, or in obedience to its subpoena; provided, that no person testifying shall be exempted from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. (2) In case of failure or refusal on the part of any person to comply with any subpoena issued by the division, or, in case of the refusal of any witness to testify or answer as to any matter regarding which he or she may be lawfully interrogated, any circuit court in this state, on the application of the division, may issue an attachment for such person and compel him or her to comply with such subpoena and to attend before the division and produce such documents, and give his or her testimony upon such matters as may be lawfully required, and such court shall have the power to punish for contempt as in case of disobedience of like subpoena issued by or from such court, or for refusal to testify therein.