Federal · Title 7 — Agriculture

7 U.S.C. § 7488: Investigations and power to subpoena

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute grants the Secretary investigative powers, including authority to subpoena witnesses and records, and to seek court enforcement of subpoenas for violations of the subchapter.

Read the full statutory text
for the effective administration of this subchapter; and to determine whether any person subject to this subchapter has engaged, or is about to engage, in an act that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this subchapter or of an order or regulation issued under this subchapter. For the purpose of an investigation under subsection (a), the Secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses, take evidence, and require the production of any records that are relevant to the inquiry. The attendance of witnesses and the production of 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 request the aid of any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which the investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where the person resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of the person and the production of records. The court may issue an enforcement order requiring the person to appear before the Secretary to produce records or to give testimony concerning the matter under investigation. A failure to obey an enforcement order of the court under paragraph (2) may be punished by the court as a contempt of the court. Process in a case under this subsection may be served in the judicial district in which the person resides or carries on business or wherever the person may be found.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

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.