§ 13-8-3.1. Subpoena powers of board. (a) Upon a specific demand made by either party to a preliminary or final parole revocation, the parole board is authorized and empowered to summon witnesses and to compel the production and examination of papers, books, accounts, documents, records, certificates and other legal evidence that may be necessary or proper for the determination and decision of any question before the board at the hearing.

(b) Both parties to a preliminary or final parole revocation hearing shall be informed of the right to compulsory process sufficiently in advance of the hearing to allow the parole board to effectuate that right in accordance with this section.

(c) Nothing in this statute shall be deemed to modify or supercede existing or common law privilege, including the confidential informant privilege.

(d) All subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum shall be signed by the chairperson or, in the absence or disqualification of the chairperson, by any other member of the parole board, and shall be served as subpoenas are now served in civil cases in the superior court; and witnesses so subpoenaed shall be entitled to the same fees for attendance and travel as are now provided for witnesses in civil cases in the superior court.

(e) If any person fails to obey the command of any subpoena without reasonable cause, or if a person in attendance before the board shall, without reasonable cause, refuse to be sworn or examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, the board may apply to any justice of the superior court, upon proof by affidavit of the fact, for a rule or order returnable in not less than two (2) or more than five (5) days, directing the person to show cause why he or she should not be adjudged in contempt. Upon the return of the order, the justice before whom the matter is brought for a hearing shall examine the person under oath and the person shall be given an opportunity to be heard. If the justice shall determine that the person has refused without reasonable cause or legal excuse to be examined, or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce books, accounts, papers, records and documents material to the issue, which he or she was ordered to bring or produce, the justice may immediately commit the person to the adult correctional institutions, thereto remain until he or she submits to do the act which he or she was so required to do, or is discharged according to law. If an application of contempt pursuant to this section relates to the actions of a witness at a public hearing, then the papers filed with and proceedings before the court shall be open to the public; otherwise, these papers and proceedings shall be confidential.

History of Section. (P.L. 2000, ch. 367, § 1.)