§ 5-5.1-5 - Subpoenas, oaths, and contempt. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 5-5.1-5

   § 5-5.1-5  Subpoenas, oaths, and contempt.– (a) The attorney general or his or her designee shall have the power andauthority to issue subpoenas and to compel the attendance of witnesses at anyplace within this state, to administer oaths and to require testimony underoath. The attorney general may serve his or her process or notices in a mannerprovided for the service of process and notice in civil actions in accordancewith the rules of court.

   (b) If a witness refuses to obey a subpoena or to give anyevidence relevant to proper inquiry by the attorney general, the attorneygeneral may petition a court of competent jurisdiction within the state tocompel the witness to obey the subpoena or to give the evidence. The courtshall promptly issue process to the witness and hold a hearing on the petitionas soon as possible. If the witness refuses, without reasonable cause or legalgrounds, to be examined or to give evidence relevant to proper inquiry by theattorney general, the court may cite the witness for contempt.