Rhode Island General Laws 5-31.1-14. Subpoenas – Contempt
Subpoenas may be issued by the board or the board’s constituted committees to compel the production of documents or other written records or the attendance and testimony of witnesses at any investigation or hearing. The board shall also issue subpoenas at the request and on behalf of the accused. In the event that any person refuses to obey a subpoena or answer any proper question put to him or her during the hearing or proceeding, the superior court has jurisdiction, upon application by the board, to issue to that person an order requiring him or her to appear before the board or its hearing committee; to produce evidence there if ordered; or there to give testimony concerning the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey that order of the court may be punished by the court as civil contempt.
History of Section.
P.L. 1987, ch. 358, § 2.
Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-31.1-14
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Board: means the Rhode Island board of examiners in dentistry or any committee or subcommittee of the board. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-31.1-1
- 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.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Person: means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, trust or estate, state or political subdivision, or instrumentality of a state. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-31.1-1
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.