Tennessee Code 3-3-112 – Penalty for willful default of summoned witness
Attorney's Note
Under the Tennessee Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| class C misdemeanor | up to 30 days | up to $50 |
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 3-3-112
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Committee: as used in this chapter , except when more particularly provided in this chapter, includes:
(1) A committee appointed by either the house of representatives or the senate. See Tennessee Code 3-3-101 - 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.
- Joint committee: Committees including membership from both houses of teh legislature. Joint committees are usually established with narrow jurisdictions and normally lack authority to report legislation.
- Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
Every person who, having been summoned as a witness by the authority of either house or of both houses of the general assembly, or by the authority of any standing or special committee of either house or any joint committee of both houses of the general assembly, to give testimony or to produce any papers, or other items of evidence, upon any matter under inquiry before either house, or both houses, or any such committee of either house or joint committee of both houses of the general assembly, willfully makes default, by failing to appear, or who, having appeared, willfully refuses to answer any question or to produce any papers or other evidence pertinent to the matter under inquiry, whether such question be propounded by any member of such committee, or by any legal counsel of such committee, in its presence and by its permission, commits a Class C misdemeanor.