2023 Montana Code Annotated
Title 31. Credit Transactions and Relationships
Chapter 1. Credit Transactions
Part 2. Retail Installment Sales
31-1-211. Powers of department
31-1-211. Powers of department. (1) The department may adopt rules necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this part.
(2) The department may issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, papers, books, records, and other evidence before it in any matter over which it has jurisdiction, control, or supervision pertaining to this part. The department may administer oaths and affirmations to a person whose testimony is required.
(3) If a person refuses to obey a subpoena or to give testimony or produce evidence as required by it, a judge of the district court of the county in which the licensed premises are located may, upon application and proof of the refusal, issue a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum for the witness to appear before the department to give testimony and produce evidence as may be required. The clerk of court shall then issue the subpoena, as directed, under the seal of the court, requiring the person to whom it is directed to appear at the time and place designated in it.
(4) If a person served with a subpoena refuses to obey it or to give testimony or produce evidence as required by the subpoena, the department may apply to the judge of the court issuing the subpoena for an arrest warrant for that person, as for a contempt. The judge, upon satisfactory proof of the refusal, shall issue an arrest warrant, directed to any sheriff, constable, or police officer, for the arrest of that person and, upon that person being brought before the judge, proceed to a hearing of the case. The judge may compel:
(a) obedience to the subpoena;
(b) the answering of any question;
(c) the production of any evidence that may be proper; or
(d) the witness to pay the costs of the proceeding.
(5) Failure to comply with the requirements of subsection (4)(a), (4)(b), or (4)(c) is punishable by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment in the county jail, or both.
History: En. Sec. 6, Ch. 282, L. 1959; amd. Sec. 140, Ch. 431, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 185, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 74-606; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 265, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 63, L. 2013.
