West Virginia Code 61-10-17 – Lobbying on floor of Legislature; ejection of lobbyist; penalty; jurisdiction
It shall be unlawful for any person to lobby for or against any measure on the floor of either House of the Legislature while the same is in session. If any person be found so lobbying in violation of this section, it shall be the duty of the sergeant at arms to eject such person from the floor of either House of the Legislature, upon his own knowledge, or upon the complaint of any member. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $200, and in addition thereto he shall be imprisoned in the county jail of the county where such conviction is had, for not less than ten days nor more than six months. Any of the circuit courts, criminal courts, or justices of the peace within the county of Kanawha are hereby given jurisdiction of the offense herein set forth, and the proceedings hereunder shall be conducted as for other offenses.
Terms Used In West Virginia Code 61-10-17
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- 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.
- Offense: includes every act or omission for which a fine, forfeiture, or punishment is imposed by law. See West Virginia Code 2-2-10