South Carolina Code 40-47-745. Unauthorized practice; penalty; cease and desist orders and injunctions; privileged communications
(B) For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding under this article, the board or a person designated by the board may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, take testimony, and require the production for any documents or records which the board considers relevant to the inquiry.
Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-47-745
- Board: means the State Board of Medical Examiners for South Carolina. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- 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.
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- License: means a current document authorizing a person to practice. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
- Person: means a natural person, male or female. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
- Respondent: means a person charged with responding in a disciplinary or other administrative action. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
- Revocation: means the permanent cancellation or withdrawal of an authorization issued by the board. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Suspension: means the temporary withdrawal of authorization to practice for either a definite or indefinite period of time ordered by the board. See South Carolina Code 40-47-20
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(C) If the board has sufficient evidence that a person is violating a provision of this article, the board, in addition to all other remedies, may order the person to immediately cease and desist from this conduct. The board may apply to an administrative law judge as provided under Article 5, Chapter 23 of Title 1 for an injunction restraining the person from this conduct. An administrative law judge may issue a temporary injunction ex parte and upon notice and full hearing may issue any other order in the matter it considers proper. No bond may be required of the board by an administrative law judge as a condition to the issuance of an injunction or order contemplated by the provisions of this section.
(D) Each communication, whether oral or written, made by or on behalf of a person or firm to the board or a person designated by the board to investigate or otherwise hear matters relating to the revocation, suspension, or other restriction on a license or other discipline of a license holder, whether by way of complaint or testimony, is privileged and exempt from disclosure for any reason except to the extent disclosed in proceedings before the board. No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, may lie against the person or firm for the communication except upon other proof that the communication was made with malice.
(E) No provision of this article may be construed as prohibiting the respondent or his legal counsel from exercising the respondent’s constitutional right of due process under the law or prohibiting the respondent from normal access to the charges and evidence filed against him as part of due process under the law.
