SECTIONS 25170-25176 - California Statutes

GOVERNMENT CODE

SECTION 25170-25176

25170. Whenever the board of supervisors deems it necessary or
important to examine any person as a witness upon any subject or
matter within the jurisdiction of the board, or to examine any
officer of the county in relation to the discharge of his official
duties as to the receipt or disposition by him of any money, or
concerning the possession or disbursement by him of any property
belonging to the county, or to use, inspect, or examine any books,
account, voucher, or document in the possession or under the control
of the person or officer relating to the affairs or interests of the
county, the chairman of the board shall issue a subpena, in proper
form, commanding the person or officer to appear before it, at a time
and place therein specified, to be examined as a witness. The
subpena may require the person or officer to produce all books,
papers, and documents in his possession or under his control,
relating to the affairs or interests of the county.

25171. Whenever the board appoints any of its members a committee
upon any subject or matter of which it has jurisdiction and confers
upon the committee power to send for persons and papers, the chairman
of the committee has all the powers and duties of the chairman of
the board of supervisors.

25172. The sheriff of the county to whom the subpena is delivered
shall serve it by reading it to the person named therein, and at the
same time delivering to him a copy thereof. The official return of
the sheriff upon the subpena, showing the time and place of service
is prima facie evidence of service.

25173. Whenever any person duly subpenaed to appear and give
evidence or to produce any books and papers before the board or a
committee neglects or refuses to appear, or to produce any books and
papers, as required by the subpena, or refuses to testify or to
answer any questions which a majority of the body decides are proper
and pertinent, he shall be deemed in contempt, and the chairman of
the body shall report the fact to the judge of the superior court of
the county.

25174. Upon receipt of the report, the judge of the superior court
shall issue an attachment directed to any sheriff, marshal, or police
chief in the State of California, commanding him or her to attach
that person and forthwith bring him or her before the judge who
ordered the attachment issued.

25175. On the return of the attachment and the production of the
body of the defendant, the judge has jurisdiction of the matter. The
person charged may purge himself of the contempt in the same way, and
the same proceeding shall be had, and the same penalties may be
imposed, and the same punishment inflicted as in the case of a
witness subpenaed to appear and give evidence on the trial of a civil
cause before a superior court.

25176. Witnesses subpenaed to testify on behalf of the county in
matters of public concern before the board of supervisors are not
entitled to have their fees prepaid, but the board shall allow them
the reasonable expenses of their attendance.