State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Rhode-island > Title-23 > Chapter-23-23 > 23-23-7SECTION 23-23-7
§ 23-23-7 Subpoena of witnesses –Enforcement. – All subpoenas shall be served as subpoenas in civil cases in the superiorcourt, and witnesses subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees forattendance and travel as are provided witnesses in civil cases in the superiorcourt. In cases of contumacy or refusal to obey the command of the subpoenaissued, the superior court shall have jurisdiction upon application of thedirector, with proof by affidavit of the fact, to issue a rule or orderreturnable in not less than two (2) nor more than five (5) days, directing thisperson to show cause why he or she should not be adjudged in contempt. Uponreturn of the order, the justice, before whom the matter is brought forhearing, shall examine under oath that person and that person shall be given anopportunity to be heard, and if the justice shall determine that the person hasrefused without reasonable cause or legal excuse, to be examined or to answer alegal or pertinent question, the justice may impose a fine upon the offender orimmediately commit the offender to the adult correctional institutions toremain there until he or she submits to do the act which he or she was requiredto do, or is discharged according to law.
