3 ms·

so he's free to decline , given how he hasn't committed a crime?

• scott_s 9y ago
  You can be found in contempt of Congress if you decline the subpoena. But keep in mind that people who are subpoenaed to testify in criminal cases but are not a defendant nor suspected of any crime can be found in contempt of court for not testifying. In fact, the only time you can refuse to testify is when you are accused of a crime, as you can invoke the Fifth Amendment. (But in the case of Congressional testimony, you'll still have to show up and assert the Fifth. In a criminal trial where you are the defendant you'd just not take the stand at all.) I am not a lawyer. But as a layperson, I find your objection to be a non-sequitur; I assume that most people who testify before Congress are not suspected of wrong-doing.
  • mankash666 9y ago
    It's not a non-sequitur. The only reason to drag an innocent person through a congressional hearing is to score political brownie points with constituents. I find that reprehensible, and do not think the visibly popular & successful personalities of our time need to be dragged through a sideshow for someone's political gain