Congress Subpoena Civilians

[tim987]

My question is about congress subpoenaing civilians. you know how congress interviewed marion jones about if she cheated at the olympic games by using performance enhancing drugs.

well, what right does congress have to ask people about this? because there is nothing illegal about cheating in sport by using performance enhancing drugs. sure, using some performance enhancing drugs is illegal but this is for the normal courts to deal with.

And if congress does call on sports stars to ask them about these things, can the sports stars refuse and if they do is there any penalty?

 

[racer72]

well, what right does congress have to ask people about this?

Article 1, section 1 of the Constitution.
Read and learn.
http://www.answers.com/topic/subpoena-power-of-congress

because there is nothing illegal about cheating in sport by using performance enhancing drugs.

Yes it is. Every professional sports league and every amatuer sports governing body has banned performance enhancing drugs, many for years.

And if congress does call on sports stars to ask them about these things, can the sports stars refuse and if they do is there any penalty?

Jail, fines. It's called contempt of congress.
Read and learn more.

http://www.answers.com/topic/contempt-of-congress

 

[tim987]

but in theory can congress subpoena private citizens who have not committed a crime? for example, if congress wanted to ask a famous person how they got rich, can congress subpoena that person?

 

[racer72]

but in theory can congress subpoena private citizens who have not committed a crime? for example, if congress wanted to ask a famous person how they got rich, can congress subpoena that person?

If the testimony is considered necessary, yes.

 

[cyjeff]

Further, any of the drugs used was illegal at the time of use.

While Congress normally allows the judicial branch to find criminals guilty or innocent, they have, on occasion, used their authority to investigate a specific set of circumstances.

I only know of a specific set of persons that can defy Congress' request for appearance... and they have to use Presidential privilege to avoid it.

 

[LeeHarveyBlotto]

And if congress does call on sports stars to ask them about these things, can the sports stars refuse and if they do is there any penalty?

No, but their rights under the 5th amendment apply. Not much good for the court of public opinion, but ...