County of Riverside v. Superior Court

David P. Sorben is a licensed chiropractor. Since October 1973, Sorben has been treated on a voluntary basis for alcoholism at the Crisis and Referral Center, Riverside, California (hereinafter “Center”). Personnel of the Center made and maintain records relating to Sorben, including dates of visits, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment. These records are subject to the confidentiality provisions of section 5328 et seq., of the Welfare and Institutions Code (part of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act).

There is pending before the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (hereinafter “State Board”) an accusation seeking the suspension or revocation of Sorben’s chiropractic license alleging violation of section 10 subdivision (b) of the Chiropractic Act of California (3 West’s Ann. Bus. & Prof. Code (1974 ed.) p. 147; 4 Deering’s Ann. Bus. & Prof. Code (1961-1973 Cum. Supp., following § 25763 at p. 277), habitual intemperance in the use of ardent spirits to such an extent as to incapacitate him for the performance of his professional duties.

State Board petitioned the Riverside Superior Court for an order directing the Custodian of Patient Records of the Center to submit all of…