Title 2, The CongressRelease 119-102

§390 Penalty for Failure to Appear, Testify, or Produce Documents

Title 2 › CHAPTER 12 — CONTESTED ELECTIONS › § 390

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Intentionally failing to follow an order to testify or produce documents for a contested election is a misdemeanor punishable by a $100–$1,000 fine, 1–12 months in jail, or both.

Full Legal Text

Title 2, §390

The Congress, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Every person who, having been subpenaed as a witness under this chapter to give testimony or to produce documents, willfully makes default, or who, having appeared, refuses to answer any question pertinent to the contested election case, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by fine of not more than $1,000 nor less than $100 or imprisonment for not less than one month nor more than twelve months, or both.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable with respect to any general or special election for Representative in, or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States occurring after Dec. 5, 1969, see section 19 of Pub. L. 91–138, set out as a note under section 381 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

2 U.S.C. § 390

Title 2, The Congress

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102