§ 21-12-204 — Attendance of witnesses

(a) The Senate shall have power of coercing the attendance of witnesses and of compelling them to testify and of coercing the production of books and papers, by fine and imprisonment to such extent as shall be necessary. (b) (1) The Secretary of the Senate, at the request of the chair of the committee prosecuting the impeachment, or of the accused, shall issue process for summoning witnesses and for producing books and papers. (2) In case of disobedience of the process, the Senate shall order the clerk to issue process for arresting the witnesses and seizing the books and papers, which process may be executed by the peace officers of the counties or by officers especially appointed for that purpose by the Senate. (c) Witnesses shall have the same compensation for travel and attendance, and the same exemption in going, remaining, and returning, as witnesses in the circuit courts. (d) Officers executing the process and orders of the Senate shall have like fees for their services. Crim. Code, §§ 394-396; C. & M. Dig., §§ 5612-5617; Pope's Dig., §§ 7257-7262; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 12-2210 -- 12-2212.