§ 54-03.2-15 — Penalties

North Dakota § 54-03.2-15

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 54: State Government
• Ch. 54-03.2: Conduct of Legislative Investigations

Text

A person guilty of contempt under section 54-03.2-14 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor, or
if tried to the legislative assembly, or an appropriate house thereof, the legislative assembly or
the appropriate house may impose such punishment as it deems appropriate, in the exercise of
its inherent powers.
If any investigating committee fails in any material respect to comply with the requirements
of this code, any person subject to a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum who is injured by
such failure is relieved of any requirement to attend the hearing for which the subpoena was
issued or, if present, to testify or produce evidence therein; and such failure is a complete
defense in any proceeding against such person for contempt or other punishment.
Any person other than the witness concerned or that person's counsel who violates
subsection 7 or 8 of section 54-03.2-12 is guilty of a class B misdemeanor. The attorney
general, on the attorney general's own motion or on the application of any person claiming to
have been injured or prejudiced by an unauthorized disclosure, may institute proceedings for
trial of the issue and imposition of the penalties provided herein. Nothing in this section limits
any power which the legislative assembly or either house thereof may have to discipline a
member or employee or to impose a penalty in the absence of action by a prosecuting officer or
court.