Us Code § 6304 - Subpoena authority
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 6304 — Subpoena authority, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 6304. Subpoena authority
(a) In an investigation under this chapter, the attendance and testimony of witnesses, including parties in interest, and the production of any evidence may be compelled by subpoena. The subpoena authority granted by this section is coextensive with that of a district court of the United States, in civil matters, for the district in which the investigation is conducted.
(b) When a person fails to obey a subpoena issued under this section, the district court of the United States for the district in which the investigation is conducted or in which the person failing to obey is found, shall on proper application issue an order directing that person to comply with the subpoena. The court may punish as contempt any disobedience of its order.
(c) A witness complying with a subpoena issued under this section may be paid for actual travel and attendance at the rate provided for witnesses in the district courts of the United States.
(d) An official designated to conduct an investigation under this part may issue subpoenas as provided in this section and administer oaths to witnesses.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 538; Pub. L. 117–263, div. K, title CXVIII, §11807(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 4165.)
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 6304 | 46:239(e) 46:239(f) |
Section 6304 provides an officer investigating a marine casualty with the necessary subpena authority to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. It also authorizes a district court of the United States to direct compliance with a subpena.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "subpoena" for "subpena" wherever appearing in text, "subpoenas" for "subpenas" in subsec. (d), and, to reflect the probable intent of Congress, "Subpoena" for "Subpena" in section catchline.
About This Section
46 U.S.C. § 6304 is part of Title 46 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 46 U.S.C. § 6304. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.