For you or me, wouldn't refusing a subpoena mean jail time? CNN~Aides to Gov. Palin won't comply with subpoenas issued by state lawmakers investigating the firing of Alaska's former public safety commissioner because Palin "has declined to participate."
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Dracool
ANSWERS: 4
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"For you or me, wouldn't refusing a subpoena mean jail time?" It depends on why you are refusing and if the reason is found valid. Eventually it would but not at first unless you were stupid about it.
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It depends. First, you are referring to a legislative subpoena, which often has very different rules than judicial subpoenas. Second, there are some circumstances in which you can refuse to testify. For example, in California you do not have to take the stand in a proceeding against a spouse. In government, there are many immunities which could excuse certain officials from testifying.
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The United States Congress also has the power to issue subpoenas and can punish individuals who fail to comply by contempt of Congress, which is similar to contempt of court. Contempt of Congress is the act of obstructing the work of the United States Congress or one of its committees. While historically the bribery of a Senator or Representative was considered "contempt of Congress," in modern times a person must refuse to comply with a subpoena issued by a Congressional committee or subcommittee - usually seeking to compel either testimony or documents - in order to be considered in "contempt of Congress." As the governor is a Republican who knows what they will do, we must wait and see what happens. As far as I know Congress can oblige the governor to comply. She was not invited to a party so there is no reason for her to say she will not participate the correct word is comply.
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I hate political witch hunts. If she did something illegal, they should get judicial subpoenas and press charges. Otherwise it's just a simple political fishing expedition. Anyone who complies with political subpoenas is a fool after the Valerie Plame fiasco. Anyone who testifies before politicians is putting themselves at risk.
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