Ohio Code 101.81 – Contempt of the general assembly
(A) In order to secure information with respect to any pending or contemplated legislative action, or any alleged breach of its privileges or misconduct by its members, the general assembly may order any person in Ohio to appear and testify before it, before either of its houses, or before any of its standing or select committees, and may order such person to produce books, papers, and other tangible evidence.
Attorney's Note
Under the Ohio Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor of the fourth degree | up to 30 days | up to $250 |
Terms Used In Ohio Code 101.81
- 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.
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Whoever: includes all persons, natural and artificial; partners; principals, agents, and employees; and all officials, public or private. See Ohio Code 1.02
(B) An order under division (A) of this section, to appear or to produce books, papers, and other tangible evidence, may be issued by the general assembly, by either of its houses, or, within the limits of its charge by the general assembly or either of its houses, by a standing or a select committee. Such order shall be in writing, and may be directed to an appropriate officer anywhere in Ohio, for service and return in the same manner as a subpoena.
(C) No person shall fail to obey an order issued under this section, or, having appeared pursuant to such order, refuse to answer a question pertinent to the matter under inquiry.
(D) Whoever violates division (C) of this section is guilty of contempt of the general assembly, a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.