(1) In case of contumacy by a person or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to a person, a court of this State or judge of this State within the jurisdiction of which the person guilty of contumacy or refusal to obey is found, resides, or transacts business, upon application by the department or a duly authorized representative may issue to him an order requiring him to appear before the department or a duly authorized representative of the department to produce evidence if ordered to do so or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation or in question. Failure to obey an order of the court may be punished as a contempt of the order.

(2) A person who, without just cause, fails or refuses to attend and testify; to answer a lawful inquiry; or to produce books, papers, correspondence, memoranda and other records, if it is in his power to do this in accordance with a subpoena of the department or a duly authorized representative, must be punished by a fine of not less than twenty nor more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days. Each failure to obey a subpoena constitutes a separate offense.

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Terms Used In South Carolina Code 41-29-210

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.