The Commission shall have the power to punish for contempt by fine not exceeding $1,000 or by confinement not exceeding six months, or by both, any person duly summoned to appear and testify before the Commission who fails or refuses to appear and testify, without lawful excuse, or who refuses to answer any proper question propounded to him by the Commission in the discharge of its duty or who conducts himself in a rude, disrespectful, or disorderly manner before the Commission or any of the commissioners deliberating in the discharge of duty in public session. Any person punished for contempt by confinement may be committed by the Commission to the jail of any city or county of this Commonwealth. The jailer thereof shall receive the person upon the commitment of the Commission attested by its clerk, and shall confine the person for the term of imprisonment specified in the commitment. The jailer shall receive for the board of any person so committed the same allowance made by law for other persons confined in the jail.
Code 1950, § 12-21; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 157; 1991, c. 710.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 12.1 - State Corporation Commission
Chapter 5 - Procedure Before the Commission and Appeals
§ 12.1-25. Rules of practice and procedure
§ 12.1-27. Commonwealth to be complainant, etc.; parties entitled to process
§ 12.1-30. Rules of evidence to be as in courts of record
§ 12.1-30.1. Meetings and communications between commissioners and parties or staff
§ 12.1-32. Costs, fees, and expenses
§ 12.1-33. Fine for disobedience of Commission orders
§ 12.1-34. Punishment for contempt
§ 12.1-35. Judgments to be in favor of Commonwealth
§ 12.1-36. Time judgment takes effect; interest
§ 12.1-37. Lien of judgment; docketing
§ 12.1-38. Concurrent jurisdiction of Commission and courts
§ 12.1-40. Method of taking and prosecuting appeals