Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-110

§2715 Subpoena and Deposition Authority

Title 25 › CHAPTER 29 — INDIAN GAMING REGULATION › § 2715

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Commission can, if at least two members agree, order people to come, speak under oath, and bring books or papers about an investigation. Anyone ordered must be paid the same witness fees and travel pay that apply in United States courts. The Commission can require people to appear from anywhere in the United States at a chosen hearing place. It may ask the Secretary to ask the Attorney General to help enforce an order. A federal court where the inquiry is happening can also force someone to obey and punish refusal as contempt. A Commissioner may also have testimony taken by deposition at any stage. Depositions are done before a person who can give oaths, and reasonable written notice must be given naming the witness and the time and place. People can be required to appear, answer, and produce documents. The witness must swear or affirm to tell the truth, sign the written testimony, and that testimony must be filed with the Commission. Those taking or giving depositions get the same fees as in United States courts.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §2715

Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Attendance, testimony, production of papers, etc.

By a vote of not less than two members, the Commission shall have the power to require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all books, papers, and documents relating to any matter under consideration or investigation. Witnesses so summoned shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States.

(b)Geographical location

The attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and documents, may be required from any place in the United States at any designated place of hearing. The Commission may request the Secretary to request the Attorney General to bring an action to enforce any subpoena under this section.

(c)Refusal of subpoena; court order; contempt

Any court of the United States within the jurisdiction of which an inquiry is carried on may, in case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena for any reason, issue an order requiring such person to appear before the Commission (and produce books, papers, or documents as so ordered) and give evidence concerning the matter in question and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.

(d)Depositions; notice

A Commissioner may order testimony to be taken by deposition in any proceeding or investigation pending before the Commission at any stage of such proceeding or investigation. Such depositions may be taken before any person designated by the Commission and having power to administer oaths. Reasonable notice must first be given to the Commission in writing by the party or his attorney proposing to take such deposition, and, in cases in which a Commissioner proposes to take a deposition, reasonable notice must be given. The notice shall state the name of the witness and the time and place of the taking of his deposition. Any person may be compelled to appear and depose, and to produce books, papers, or documents, in the same manner as witnesses may be compelled to appear and testify and produce like documentary evidence before the Commission, as hereinbefore provided.

(e)Oath or affirmation required

Every person deposing as herein provided shall be cautioned and shall be required to swear (or affirm, if he so requests) to testify to the whole truth, and shall be carefully examined. His testimony shall be reduced to writing by the person taking the deposition, or under his direction, and shall, after it has been reduced to writing, be subscribed by the deponent. All depositions shall be promptly filed with the Commission.

(f)Witness fees

Witnesses whose depositions are taken as authorized in this section, and the persons taking the same, shall severally be entitled to the same fees as are paid for like services in the courts of the United States.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 2715

Title 25, Indians

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110