Texas Labor Code 61.005 – Effect of Refusal to Obey Commission Subpoena; Criminal Penalty
(a) In the case of contumacy or other refusal by a person to obey a subpoena issued by the commission or an authorized representative of the commission to that person, any county or district court of this state in the jurisdiction of which the inquiry is carried on or in the jurisdiction of which the person guilty of contumacy or refusal to obey is found, resides, or transacts business has jurisdiction, on application by the commission or its representative, to issue to the person an order requiring the person to appear before the commission or its authorized representative to:
(1) produce evidence if so ordered; or
(2) testify regarding the matter under investigation or in question.
(b) The court may punish as contempt a failure to obey a court order issued under Subsection (a).
Terms Used In Texas Labor Code 61.005
- 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.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
(c) A person commits an offense if the person, without just cause, fails or refuses to obey a commission subpoena to:
(1) attend and testify;
(2) answer any lawful inquiry; or
(3) produce books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, or other records.
(d) An offense under Subsection (c) is punishable by a fine of not less than $200, by confinement for not more than 60 days, or by both fine and confinement. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.