Cal. Civ. Code § 8-3-212
Subpoenas and discovery; penalties for violations.
Operative Text
(a) The administrator may issue subpoenas and order discovery in aid of investigations and hearings under this article. Such subpoenas and discovery may be ordered to the same extent and subject to the same limitations as would apply if the subpoenas or discovery were ordered or served in aid of a civil action in superior court in which the investigation is taking place. (b) Witnesses summoned by a subpoena under this Code section shall be entitled to the same witness and mileage fees as witnesses in proceedings in superior courts. Fees payable to a witness summoned by a subpoena issued at the request of a party shall be paid by the party. (c) (1) Any person who willfully fails or neglects to attend and testify or to answer any lawful inquiry or to produce records, documents, or other evidence, if it is in such person’s power to do so, in obedience to the subpoena or other lawful order under subsection (a) of this Code section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00. (2) Any person who, with intent thereby to mislead another person in any proceeding under this article: (A) Makes or causes to be made any false entry or statement of fact in any report, account, record, or other document produced pursuant to subpoena or other lawful order under subsection (a) of this Code section; (B) Willfully neglects or fails to make or to cause to be made full, true, and correct entries in such reports, accounts, records, or other documents; or (C) Willfully mutilates, alters, or by any other means falsifies any documentary evidence shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,000.00.
O.C.G.A. § 8-3-212 grants a housing administrator the authority to issue subpoenas and compel discovery during investigations and hearings, with the same scope and limits that apply in superior court civil proceedings. Witnesses who are subpoenaed are entitled to standard witness and mileage fees. Anyone who willfully ignores a subpoena, fails to produce required documents, or submits false or falsified records in these proceedings can be convicted of a misdemeanor and fined up to $1,000.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under O.C.G.A. § 8-3-212, property owners and managers who receive a subpoena or discovery order from the administrator are expected to respond fully and truthfully, producing all requested records, documents, and testimony within their control. Compliant operators maintain accurate and complete records so that any required production reflects genuine business activity. Willful non-compliance or submission of false documentation exposes a property owner to misdemeanor criminal liability and a fine of up to $1,000.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
O.C.G.A. § 8-3-212 establishes that the administrator overseeing housing proceedings has real investigative power, including the ability to subpoena witnesses and compel document production, which can be a meaningful tool in formal complaints or hearings. Tenants who are themselves subpoenaed are entitled to witness and mileage fees, and those fees are paid by the party that requested the subpoena. Tenants involved in proceedings under this article may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how these investigative powers could apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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