Q: Can an inmate in a county jail be forced to release his medical records. Can they detain your release for failure to
To appear even if you have a Drs excuse stating you were under Drs care at the time of court.Can they deny you your appointment ( one previous and one after incarcerated ) for and ultrasound on your liver?
A:
You can't be forced to release your medical records without your consent, even if you're an inmate. Medical privacy laws, such as HIPAA, protect your right to confidentiality regarding your health information. However, there might be exceptions if your medical condition directly impacts the safety of others or the jail's operations.
If you missed a court date due to being under a doctor's care, a doctor's note should generally excuse your absence. However, the court may scrutinize the excuse and circumstances. It’s essential to ensure your attorney communicates the situation clearly to the court to avoid unnecessary detention.
Regarding medical appointments, you have the right to necessary medical care, even while incarcerated. If you had an appointment for an ultrasound on your liver, the jail should facilitate this unless there are compelling security or logistical reasons. Make sure to inform the jail’s medical staff and advocate for your healthcare needs.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
