§ 21-951. Investigation of alleged violations of act.

It shall be the duty of any judge of any court of record, upon the written request of the district attorney, or upon the sworn complaint of any other person, to issue subpoenas for any witness that may have knowledge of the violation of any provision of this act, and such judge shall have the power and it shall be his duty to compel such witness to appear before him and give testimony and produce any books or papers that will aid or assist in the prosecution of such investigation and inquiry into any violation of any provision of this act; but no person shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which he may so testify or produce evidence.  The testimony of each witness shall be reduced to writing by said judge, or by some person designated by him, and the same shall be signed by such witness.  No person shall disclose any evidence so taken, nor disclose the name of any person so subpoenaed and examined, except when lawfully reguired to testify as a witness in relation thereto; and the unlawful disclosure, by any person, of any such evidence or of any matter or thing concerning such examination shall be a misdemeanor.  Should said judge be unable to hold and conduct such inquiry and investigation for want of time, he may appoint a special judge who shall possess the qualifications and have the power in respect to such matters as the judge of the district court.  Should any witness refuse to appear before such judge, in obedience to such subpoena, or refuse to produce any books or papers when lawfully required so to do, or having appeared, shall refuse to answer any proper question, or sign his testimony when so required, it shall be the duty of such judge to commit such person to the county jail until he shall consent to obey such orders and command of such judge in the premises, and in addition thereto such person may be punished, as for contempt of court, in accordance with the Constitution and laws of this state.  The special judge appointed under the provisions of this section shall take the oath of the Constitution for state officers, and shall receive the compensation allowed by law for notaries public for taking depositions and be paid by the county in which such proceeding is had, upon the order of the judge who appointed him.  When it is shown upon the taking of such testimony that there is probable cause to believe that any person has violated any provision of this act, the district attorney shall immediately prepare an information charging such person with such offense and file such information in some court of competent jurisdiction.

Laws 1916, c. 26, p. 61, § 12.