Who has the authority to issue a subpoena?

The authority to issue a subpoena primarily rests with the court system. In the context of federal law, federal court clerks can issue subpoenas as part of the legal process to compel the attendance of a witness or the production of documents. This is often done to ensure that necessary evidence is presented during legal proceedings, enabling the court to fulfill its duty in adjudicating cases.

Subpoenas in federal cases are typically managed by the clerk of the court, who has the responsibility to operate under the oversight of a judge and within the framework of the rules governing federal procedure. This delegation allows for an efficient process in legal proceedings, as the clerks are integral in managing document filings and serving subpoenas.

The other options, while they may have various powers and responsibilities within the healthcare and legal frameworks, do not possess the authority to issue subpoenas. State court judges can issue subpoenas, but the question specifically pertains to who among the given choices has that authority, making the role of federal court clerks distinctively relevant. Healthcare administrators and legal consultants do not have the power to issue subpoenas within the legal system, as their functions are not sanctioned by a court’s authority.