Sec. 2-40.        Witnesses before council and committees.

   The council, or any committee thereof when especially authorized, shall have the power to require the attendance of any person as a witness and the production by any person of all proper books and papers when, in the opinion of such body, such attendance or such production is necessary and proper. A summons to attend as a witness or to produce books or papers shall be in writing, signed by the presiding officer of the council or committee thereof, and shall be served by the chief of police in the same manner as a process to commence an action at law. Such witnesses shall be sworn by the officer presiding at such investigation and shall be liable for perjury or false testimony given at any such investigation. A right of appeal shall lie to the circuit court of the county as in the case of a misdemeanor.

(Code 1982, § 2-21)

   State law references: Perjury, Code of Virginia, § 18.2-434 et seq.