1. In any investigation or proceeding under sections 198.139 to 198.186 in which any person has been or may be called to testify, produce evidence or provide other information by means of a subpoena or before a court or grand jury, if the person refuses to answer any question or produce evidence or material of any kind on the ground that he may be incriminated thereby, the director of the fraud investigation division may, in writing, request the circuit court of the county in which the proceeding is held to order the person to answer the question or produce the evidence. Upon receipt of the request, the court shall hold a hearing on said written request after written notice to the person specifying the nature of the request and the time and place of the hearing, and advising the person of his right to be present and his right to counsel at such hearing. At the hearing the director of the fraud investigation division and the person may participate. The burden of proof is on the director of the division to demonstrate to the court (1) the necessity for and (2) the reasonableness of the request to order the person to answer the question or produce the evidence or both. If the court is satisfied that such burden has been met, it may issue an order requiring the person to answer the questions or produce the evidence, or both, which he refuses to give or produce on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination. If the court believes such burden has not been met, it shall dismiss the request. When the order is communicated to the person, the person may not refuse to comply with the order on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination. After complying with the order and giving the testimony or producing the evidence, no testimony or other evidence or information obtained or any information directly or indirectly derived from the testimony or evidence may be used against the person in any proceeding or prosecution for any offense concerning which he gave answer or produced evidence under court order, except a prosecution for perjury, false swearing or contempt committed in answering or failing to answer, or in the producing or failing to produce evidence in accordance with the order.

2. If any person refuses to testify after being granted immunity from prosecution under sections 198.139 to 198.186 and after being ordered to testify or produce evidence, the court may find the person in contempt.

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Terms Used In Missouri Laws 198.177

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
  • Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,
  • person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.