1560
. (a) As used in this article:
(1) "Business" includes every kind of business described in
Section 1270.
(2) "Record" includes every kind of record maintained by a
business.
(b) Except as provided in Section 1564, when a subpoena duces
tecum is served upon the custodian of records or other qualified
witness of a business in an action in which the business is neither a
party nor the place where any cause of action is alleged to have
arisen, and the subpoena requires the production of all or any part
of the records of the business, it is sufficient compliance therewith
if the custodian or other qualified witness delivers by mail or
otherwise a true, legible, and durable copy of all of the records
described in the subpoena to the clerk of the court or to another
person described in subdivision (d) of Section 2026.010 of the Code
of Civil Procedure, together with the affidavit described in Section
1561, within one of the following time periods:
(1) In any criminal action, five days after the receipt of the
subpoena.
(2) In any civil action, within 15 days after the receipt of the
subpoena.
(3) Within the time agreed upon by the party who served the
subpoena and the custodian or other qualified witness.
(c) The copy of the records shall be separately enclosed in an
inner envelope or wrapper, sealed, with the title and number of the
action, name of witness, and date of subpoena clearly inscribed
thereon; the sealed envelope or wrapper shall then be enclosed in an
outer envelope or wrapper, sealed, and directed as follows:
(1) If the subpoena directs attendance in court, to the clerk of
the court.
(2) If the subpoena directs attendance at a deposition, to the
officer before whom the deposition is to be taken, at the place
designated in the subpoena for the taking of the deposition or at the
officer's place of business.
(3) In other cases, to the officer, body, or tribunal conducting
the hearing, at a like address.
(d) Unless the parties to the proceeding otherwise agree, or
unless the sealed envelope or wrapper is returned to a witness who is
to appear personally, the copy of the records shall remain sealed
and shall be opened only at the time of trial, deposition, or other
hearing, upon the direction of the judge, officer, body, or tribunal
conducting the proceeding, in the presence of all parties who have
appeared in person or by counsel at the trial, deposition, or
hearing. Records that are original documents and that are not
introduced in evidence or required as part of the record shall be
returned to the person or entity from whom received. Records that are
copies may be destroyed.
(e) As an alternative to the procedures described in subdivisions
(b), (c), and (d), the subpoenaing party in a civil action may direct
the witness to make the records available for inspection or copying
by the party's attorney, the attorney's representative, or deposition
officer as described in Section 2020.420 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, at the witness' business address under reasonable
conditions during normal business hours. Normal business hours, as
used in this subdivision, means those hours that the business of the
witness is normally open for business to the public. When provided
with at least five business days' advance notice by the party's
attorney, attorney's representative, or deposition officer, the
witness shall designate a time period of not less than six continuous
hours on a date certain for copying of records subject to the
subpoena by the party's attorney, attorney's representative, or
deposition officer. It shall be the responsibility of the attorney's
representative to deliver any copy of the records as directed in the
subpoena. Disobedience to the deposition subpoena issued pursuant to
this subdivision is punishable as provided in Section 2020.240 of the
Code of Civil Procedure.