{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "215.60", "citation": "Penal Law § 215.60", "heading": "Criminal contempt of the legislature", "text": ["§ 215.60 Criminal contempt of the legislature.", "A person is guilty of criminal contempt of the legislature when, having been duly subpoenaed to attend as a witness before either house of the legislature or before any committee thereof, he:", "1. Fails or refuses to attend without lawful excuse; or", "2. Refuses to be sworn; or", "3. Refuses to answer any material and proper question; or", "4. Refuses, after reasonable notice, to produce books, papers, or documents in his possession or under his control which constitute material and proper evidence.", "Criminal contempt of the legislature is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/215.60", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A duly subpoenaed legislative witness commits this offense by:\n- **(1)** **failing or refusing to attend without lawful excuse**;\n- **(2)** refusing to be sworn;\n- **(3)** refusing to answer a material, proper question; or\n- **(4)** after reasonable notice, refusing to produce controlled books, papers, or documents that are material, proper evidence. ★\nThe offense is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/215.60", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}