(1) The board of governors shall create local professional responsibility committees to investigate the conduct of attorneys. The composition and authority of local professional responsibility committees shall be as provided in the rules of procedure.
(2) The board of governors shall also create a state professional responsibility board to review the conduct of attorneys and to institute disciplinary proceedings against members of the bar. The composition and authority of the state professional responsibility board shall be as provided in the rules of procedure.
(3)(a) The state professional responsibility board and local professional responsibility committees shall have the authority to take evidence, administer oaths or affirmations, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses, including the member being investigated, and the production of books, papers and documents pertaining to the matter under investigation.
(b) A witness in an investigation conducted by the state professional responsibility board or a local professional responsibility committee who testifies falsely, fails to appear when subpoenaed, or fails to produce any books, papers or documents pursuant to subpoena, shall be subject to the same orders and penalties to which a witness before a circuit court is subject. The state professional responsibility board or local professional responsibility committees may enforce any subpoena issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection by application to any circuit court.
(c) Any member of the state professional responsibility board or a local professional responsibility committee may administer oaths or affirmations and issue any subpoena provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection. [1983 c.618 §4]
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