2022 Indiana Code
Title 9. Motor Vehicles
Article 32. Dealer Services
Chapter 16. Administration and Legal Proceedings
9-32-16-14. Public or Private Investigations by Secretary; Enforcement of Compliance With Investigation; Witness Fees and Mileage

Sec. 14. (a) The secretary may:

(1) conduct public or private investigations within or outside Indiana that the secretary considers necessary or appropriate to determine whether a person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate this article or a rule adopted or order issued under this article, or aid in the enforcement of this article or in the adoption of rules and forms under this article;

(2) require or permit a person to testify, file a statement, or produce a record, under oath or otherwise as the secretary determines, as to all the facts and circumstances concerning a matter to be investigated or about which an action or proceeding is to be instituted; and

(3) publish a record concerning an action, proceeding, or investigation under, or a violation of, this article or a rule adopted or order issued under this article if the secretary determines it is necessary or appropriate and in the public interest and for the protection of dealers or consumers.

(b) For purposes of an investigation under this article, the secretary or a designated employee of the secretary may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, seek compulsion of attendance, take attendance, take evidence, require the filing of statements, and require the production of any records that the secretary considers relevant or material to the investigation. Upon order of the secretary or a hearing officer appointed by the secretary in a hearing, depositions may be taken in the manner prescribed by law for depositions in civil actions and made returnable to the secretary or a hearing officer appointed by the secretary.

(c) If a person does not appear or refuses to testify, file a statement, or produce records, or otherwise does not obey a subpoena as required by this article, the secretary or hearing officer appointed by the secretary may apply to the circuit or superior court in the county where the hearing, investigation, or inquiry in question is being conducted to enforce compliance. The court may:

(1) hold the person in contempt;

(2) order the person to appear before the secretary or hearing officer appointed by the secretary;

(3) order the person to testify about the matter under investigation or in question;

(4) order the production of records;

(5) grant injunctive relief, including restricting or prohibiting the offer or sale of vehicles;

(6) impose a civil penalty of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for each violation; and

(7) grant any other necessary or appropriate relief.

(d) This section does not preclude a person from applying to the circuit or superior court in the county where the hearing, investigation, or inquiry in question is being conducted for relief from a request to appear, testify, file a statement, produce records, or obey a subpoena.

(e) If a witness, in any hearing, inquiry, or investigation conducted under this article, refuses to answer any question or produce any item, the secretary may file a written petition with the circuit or superior court in the county where the hearing, investigation, or inquiry in question is being conducted requesting a hearing on the refusal. The court shall hold a hearing to determine if the witness may refuse to answer the question or produce the item. If the court determines that the witness, based upon the witness's privilege against self-incrimination, may properly refuse to answer or produce an item, the secretary may make a written request that the court grant use immunity to the witness. Upon written request of the secretary, the court shall grant use immunity to a witness. The court shall instruct the witness, by written order or in open court, that:

(1) any evidence the witness gives, or evidence derived from that evidence, may not be used in any criminal proceedings against that witness, unless the evidence is volunteered by the witness or is not responsive to a question; and

(2) the witness must answer the questions asked and produce the items requested.

A grant of use immunity does not prohibit the use of evidence that the witness gives in a hearing, investigation, or inquiry from being used in a prosecution for perjury under IC 35-44.1-2-1. If a witness refuses to give the evidence after the witness has been granted use immunity, the court may find the witness in contempt.

(f) In any prosecution, action, suit, or proceeding based upon or arising out of or under this article, a certificate signed by the secretary showing compliance or noncompliance with this article by a dealer constitutes prima facie evidence of compliance or noncompliance with this article and is admissible in evidence in any action at law or in equity to enforce this article.

(g) Each witness who appears before the secretary or a hearing officer appointed by the secretary by order is entitled to receive for the witness's attendance the fees and mileage provided for witnesses in civil cases, which must be audited and paid by the state in the same manner as other expenses of the division are audited and paid when proper vouchers sworn to by the witnesses and approved by the secretary are presented. However, a witness subpoenaed at the instance of parties other than the secretary or a hearing officer appointed by the secretary is not entitled to any fee or compensation from the state.

As added by P.L.92-2013, SEC.78.