7 U.S.C. § 2622 : US Code - Section 2622: Investigations

Search 7 U.S.C. § 2622 : US Code - Section 2622: Investigations

(a) Administration of oath; subpena; contempts; process;
jurisdiction
The Secretary may make such investigations as he deems necessary
for the effective carrying out of his responsibilities under this
chapter or to determine whether any person has engaged or is
engaging in any acts or practices which constitute a violation of
any provision of this chapter, or of any plan, or rule or
regulation issued under this chapter. For the purpose of any such
investigation, the Secretary is empowered to administer oaths and
affirmations, subpena witnesses, compel their attendance, take
evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, and
documents which 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 case of contumacy by, or
refusal to obey a subpena issued to, any person, including a
handler, 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 requiring the attendance and testimony of
witnesses and the production of books, papers, and documents; and
such court may issue an order requiring such person to appear
before the Secretary, there to produce records, if so ordered, or
to give testimony touching the matter under investigation. Any
failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such
court as contempt thereof. All process in any such case may be
served in the judicial district whereof such person is an
inhabitant or wherever he may be found. The site of any hearings
held under this section shall be within the judicial district where
such person is an inhabitant or has his principal place of
business.
(b) Self-incrimination; privilege
No person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from
producing books, papers, and documents before the Secretary, or in
obedience to the subpena of the Secretary, or in any cause or
proceeding, criminal or otherwise, based upon, or growing out of
any alleged violation of this chapter, or of any plan, or rule or
regulation issued thereunder on the ground or for the reason that
the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of
him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or
forfeiture; but no individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to
any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction,
matter, or thing concerning which he is compelled, after having
claimed his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or
produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, except that any
individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and
punishment for perjury committed in so testifying.