---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 3412"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "3412"
heading: "Investigations; power to subpena and take oaths and affirmations; aid of courts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/3412"
units:
  - "Chapter 65 — Wheat and Wheat Foods Research and Nutrition Education"
---

# §3412. Investigations; power to subpena and take oaths and affirmations; aid of courts


The [Secretary](/usc/7/3402.md?p=k) may make such investigations as the [Secretary](/usc/7/3402.md?p=k) deems necessary for the effective administration of this chapter or to determine whether any [person](/usc/7/3402.md?p=l) subject to the provisions of this chapter has engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of any provisions of this chapter, or of any order, or rule or regulation issued under this chapter. For the purpose of such investigation, the [Secretary](/usc/7/3402.md?p=k) is empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, subpena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence and require the production of any books, papers, and documents which are relevant to the inquiry. Such attendance of witnesses and the production of any such records may be required from any place in the [United States](/usc/7/3402.md?p=m). In case of contumacy by, or refusal to obey a subpena to, any [person](/usc/7/3402.md?p=l), the [Secretary](/usc/7/3402.md?p=k) may invoke the aid of any court of the [United States](/usc/7/3402.md?p=m) within the jurisdiction of which such investigation or proceeding is carried on, or where such [person](/usc/7/3402.md?p=l) resides or carries on business, in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and documents; and such court may issue an order requiring such [person](/usc/7/3402.md?p=l) to appear before the [Secretary](/usc/7/3402.md?p=k), there to produce records, if so ordered, or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof. All process in any such case may be served in the judicial district whereof such [person](/usc/7/3402.md?p=l) is an inhabitant or wherever such [person](/usc/7/3402.md?p=l) may be found.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–113, title XVII, § 1713, Sept. 29, 1977, 91 Stat. 1039.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 1977, see section 1901 of Pub. L. 95–113, set out as an Effective Date of 1977 Amendment note under section 1307 of this title.