§ 12-17-15. Compelling evidence in criminal proceedings — Immunity.
Whenever a witness, including a child as defined in § 14-1-3, refuses, on the basis of his or her privilege against self-incrimination, to answer a question or to produce other evidence of any kind in a criminal proceeding before any court or grand jury of this state, the attorney general may, in writing, request the presiding justice of the superior court or the chief judge of the family court or the district court to order the witness to answer the question or produce the evidence. The court, in its discretion, after notice to the witness, may order the witness to answer the question or produce the evidence. The witness may not refuse to comply with the order on the basis of his privilege against self-incrimination; but the witness shall not be prosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for, or on account of, any transaction or matter regarding which, in accordance with the order, he or she gave answer or produced evidence and no testimony or other information compelled under the order or any information directly or indirectly derived from the testimony or other information shall be used against the witness in any criminal case, except he or she may be prosecuted or subjected to penalty or forfeiture for any perjury, false swearing, or contempt committed in answering or failing to answer, or in producing or failing to produce evidence, in accordance with the order. No court order directing a witness to answer a question or to produce evidence issued pursuant to this section shall operate to vacate, modify, or otherwise prevent the enforcement of any conviction, judgment, or sentence entered by any court against the witness prior to the grant of immunity, unless the order entered pursuant to this section expressly provides for it.
History of Section.P.L. 1969, ch. 54, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 217, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 243, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 513, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Section 12-17-1. - Trial in superior court only on indictment, information, or appeal — Venue.
Section 12-17-2. - “Not guilty” plea inferred.
Section 12-17-3. - Waiver of jury trial — Special findings and rulings.
Section 12-17-5. - Continuance of trial to conclusion after opening to jury.
Section 12-17-6. - Control and disposition of property used as evidence.
Section 12-17-7. - Release of property held as evidence after escape of defendant.
Section 12-17-8. - Compulsory process for defense witnesses.
Section 12-17-9. - Defendant as witness.
Section 12-17-10. - Defendant’s spouse as witness.
Section 12-17-10.1. - Spouse as witness in domestic or child abuse actions.
Section 12-17-11. - Commitment of witness on presumption of perjury.
Section 12-17-12. - Detention of evidence as to perjury.
Section 12-17-13. - Jury ordered not to separate.
Section 12-17-14. - Conviction of lesser-included offense or attempt.
Section 12-17-15. - Compelling evidence in criminal proceedings — Immunity.
Section 12-17-16. - Defendant’s right of discovery.
Section 12-17-17. - Restrictions on the defense of provocation.
Section 12-17-18. - Restrictions on the defense of diminished capacity.
Section 12-17-19. - Restrictions on the defense of self-defense.