§ 120-19.4. Failure to respond to subpoena or refusal to testify punishable as contempt. - North Carolina Statutes

§120‑19.4.  Failure to respond to subpoena or refusal to testifypunishable as contempt.

(a)        Any person whowithout good cause fails to obey a subpoena which was served upon him, or,fails or refuses to testify shall be deemed to be in contempt of the committeeand shall be punished as in the case of a civil contempt under the proceduresset out in subsection (b). Any person whose action in the immediate presence ofthe committee directly tends to disrupt its proceedings may also be punished asin the case of a civil contempt under the procedures set out in subsection (b).

(b)        If by a majorityvote the committee deems that any person is in contempt under the provisions ofsubsection (a) the committee shall file a complaint signed by the chairman inthe General Court of Justice, superior court division, requesting that thecourt issue an order directing that the person appear within a reasonable timeand show good cause why he should not be held in contempt of the committee orits processes. If the person does not establish good cause the court shallpunish the person in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 5A‑12 or G.S.5A‑21, whichever is applicable. (1973, c. 543; 1977, c. 344,s. 2; 1985, c. 790, s. 5.)