Hawthorne Municipal Code Ch. 2.56 Compelling Attendance of Witnesses

Note: For provisions regarding punitive action and appeals, see Chapter 2.52 of this code.

The council and the civil service commission may issue subpoenas in the name of the city requiring attendance of witnesses or production of books or other documents for evidence or testimony in any action or proceedings pending before the council or commission.

(Prior code § 2-1200)

Subpoenas shall be signed by the mayor on matters pending before the council and shall be signed by the chairperson on matters pending before the civil service commission. All subpoenas shall be issued in the name of the city and shall be attested by the city clerk and the corporate seal of the city affixed thereto.

(Prior code § 2-1201)

The chief of police must, on request of any member of the council, board or commission, detail a police officer or police officers to serve such subpoenas.

(Prior code § 2-1202)

Every person who, being subpoenaed to attend as a witness before the council, or any board or commission, refuses or neglects, without lawful excuse, to attend pursuant to such subpoena and every person who, being present before the council, or any board or commission, wilfully refuses to be sworn or to answer any material or proper question, or to produce, upon reasonable notice, any material and proper books, papers or documents in his or her possession or under his or her control, is guilty of a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars, or six months in the city or county jail, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Prior code § 2-1203)

Sections 37104, 37105, 37106, 37107, 37108 and 37109 of the Government Code of the state and other applicable state laws are adopted and incorporated herein as an alternative procedure to be followed in the discretion of the council.

(Prior code § 2-1204)