Federal · Title 7 — Agriculture

7 U.S.C. § 6308: Investigations and power to subpoena

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

The Secretary may issue subpoenas to investigate violations of this chapter and compel production of relevant records. Courts may enforce subpoenas and punish non-compliance as contempt.

Read the full statutory text
for the effective administration of this chapter; and to determine whether any person has engaged or is engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of this chapter, or any order, rule, or regulation issued under this chapter. For the purpose of an investigation under subsection (a), the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, and issue a subpoena to require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States. For the purpose of an administrative hearing held under section 6306 or 6307 of this title, the presiding officer is authorized to administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the United States. In the case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpoena issued to, any person, the Secretary may invoke the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such person resides or carries on business, in order to enforce a subpoena issued by the Secretary under subsection (b). The court may issue an order requiring such person to comply with such a subpoena. Any failure to obey an order of the court under this section may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. Process in any such case may be served in the judicial district in which such person resides or conducts business or wherever such person may be found. The site of any hearings held under section 6306 or 6307 of this title shall be within the judicial district where such person resides or has a principal place of business.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.