§ 39-1-13 - Subpoena powers of commissioners.
SECTION 39-1-13
§ 39-1-13 Subpoena powers ofcommissioners. – The commissioners are hereby severally authorized and empowered to administeroaths; and the commission, in all cases of every nature pending before it, ishereby authorized and empowered to summon and examine witnesses and to compelthe production and examination of papers, books, accounts, documents, records,certificates, and other legal evidence that may be necessary or proper for thedetermination and decision of any question before or the discharge of any dutyrequired by law of the commission. All subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecumshall be signed by the chairperson or by the clerk, and shall be served assubpoenas are served in civil cases in the superior court; and witnesses sosubpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees for attendance and travel as areprovided for witnesses in civil cases in the superior court. If any personfails to obey the command of the subpoena, without reasonable cause, or if aperson in attendance before the commission shall, without reasonable cause,refuse to be sworn, or to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinentquestion, any commissioner may apply to any justice of the superior court, uponproof by affidavit of the fact, for a rule or order returnable in not less thantwo (2) nor more than five (5) days, directing the person to show cause why heor she should not be adjudged in contempt. Upon the return of the order, thejustice before whom the matter is brought for a hearing shall examine underoath the person, and the person shall be given an opportunity to be heard, andif the justice shall determine that the person has refused without reasonablecause or legal excuse to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinentquestion, or to produce books, accounts, papers, records, and documents,material to the issue, which he or she was ordered to bring or produce, he orshe may forthwith commit the person to the adult correctional institutions,there to remain until he or she submits to do the act which he or she was sorequired to do, or is discharged according to law.