§ 63-17-97. Execution and enforcement of summons, citation or subpoena.

It shall be the duty of the sheriffs and constables of the counties of this state and of any employee of the commission, when so directed by the commission, to execute any summons, citation or subpoena which the commission may cause to be issued and to make return thereof to the commission. The sheriffs and constables so serving and returning same shall be paid for so doing the fees provided for such services in the circuit court. Any person who appears before the commission or a duly designated employee thereof in response to a summons, citation or subpoena shall be paid the same witness fee and mileage allowance as witnesses in the circuit court.

In case of failure or refusal on the part of any person to comply with any summons, citation or subpoena issued and served as above authorized or in the case of the refusal of any person to be sworn or affirmed as a witness, or testify or answer to any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated as a witness, or the refusal of any person to produce his record books and accounts relating to any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated as a witness, the chancery court of any county of the State of Mississippi, or any chancellor of any such court in vacation, may, on application of the commission or of the executive director thereof, issue an attachment for such person and compel him to comply with such summons, citation or subpoena and to attend before the commission or its designated employee and to produce the documents specified in any subpoena duces tecum and to be sworn or affirmed as a witness or to give his testimony upon such matters as he may be lawfully required. Any such chancery court, or any chancellor of any such court in vacation, shall have the power to punish for contempt as in case of disobedience of like process issued from or by any such chancery court, or as in case of refusal to be sworn or affirmed as a witness, or as in case of refusal to testify as a witness therein in response to such process, and such person shall be taxed with the costs of such proceedings.

SOURCES: Codes, 1942, § 8071.7-07; Laws, 1970, ch. 478, § 7; Laws, 1977, ch. 411, § 4; reenacted, 1983, ch. 344, § 24; reenacted without change, 1991, ch. 305, § 24, eff from and after July 1, 1991.