Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73

§6004 Certain administrative proceedings

Title 18 › Part PART V— - IMMUNITY OF WITNESSES › Chapter CHAPTER 601— - IMMUNITY OF WITNESSES › § 6004

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

A U.S. agency can, if the Attorney General agrees, order a person to testify or give information at an agency hearing even if the person refuses because of their right not to incriminate themselves. Such an order must follow subsection (b) and becomes effective as set in section 6002. The agency may do this only if it thinks the testimony is necessary for the public interest and the person has refused or likely will refuse to answer for that reason.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §6004

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In the case of any individual who has been or who may be called to testify or provide other information at any proceeding before an agency of the United States, the agency may, with the approval of the Attorney General, issue, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, an order requiring the individual to give testimony or provide other information which he refuses to give or provide on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination, such order to become effective as provided in section 6002 of this title.

(b)An agency of the United States may issue an order under subsection (a) of this section only if in its judgment—

(1)the testimony or other information from such individual may be necessary to the public interest; and

(2)such individual has refused or is likely to refuse to testify or provide other information on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “title” for “part” before period at end.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 6004

Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73