State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Rhode-island > Title-17 > Chapter-17-8 > 17-8-7SECTION 17-8-7
§ 17-8-7 Power of boards to administeroaths and subpoena evidence – Self-incrimination – False swearing.– The members of the local boards are severally authorized to administer oaths,and the boards, in all cases of every nature pending before them, areauthorized and empowered to summon witnesses by subpoena signed by the clerk ofthose boards, and to compel these witnesses to attend and testify in the samemanner as witnesses are compelled to appear and testify in any court; and theboards are authorized to compel the production of all papers, books, documents,records, certificates, or other legal evidence that may be necessary or properfor the determination and decision of any question or the discharge of any dutyrequired by law of the boards, by issuing a subpoena duces tecum, signed bytheir clerk. Every person disobeying any subpoena shall be adjudged as incontempt, and the boards may punish any contempt of their authority in likemanner as contempt may be punished by any court, and the boards may, at anymeeting held for the purpose of canvassing the voting lists, examine under oaththe person whose right to vote is disputed or any other person, and may receiveany other evidence that the boards may deem necessary respecting the right ofany person to have his or her name upon the registry or to vote, and shalldecide upon the right. No evidence elicited in the examination shall be usedagainst the person so examined in any criminal prosecution against him or her,except a prosecution for perjury in the examination. Any person who shallwillfully swear falsely in any proceeding, matter, or hearing before the boardsor any of them shall be guilty of a felony.
