In any matter pending before a department head, the department head may cause the deposition of persons residing within or without the state to be taken by causing a petition to be filed in the Superior Court in the County of Sacramento reciting the nature of the matter pending, the name and residence of the person whose testimony is desired, and asking that an order be made requiring the person to appear and testify before an officer named in the petition for that purpose. Upon the filing of the petition the court may make an order requiring the person to appear and testify in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in the superior courts of this state under Title 4 (commencing with Section 2016.010) of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure. In the same manner the superior courts may compel the attendance of persons as witnesses, and the production of papers, books, accounts, and documents, under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1985) of Title 3 of Part 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and may punish for contempt.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 182, Sec. 41. Effective January 1, 2005. Operative July 1, 2005, by Sec. 64 of Ch. 182.)

Terms Used In California Government Code 11189

  • County: includes city and county. See California Government Code 19
  • Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
  • Person: includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company. See California Government Code 17
  • State: means the State of California, unless applied to the different parts of the United States. See California Government Code 18
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
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