(a) General rule.--An action to recover any penalty imposed under the provisions of this chapter may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in this Commonwealth on order of the department and in the name of the Commonwealth. In any such action all penalties incurred up to the time of commencing the action may be sued for and recovered therein and the commencement of an action to recover any such penalty shall not be, or be held to be, a waiver of the right to recover any other penalty. In case of recovery of any amount in an action brought to recover any such penalty the Commonwealth shall be entitled to recover full costs and at the rates provided for civil actions.

(b) Duty and liability of witnesses.--No person shall be excused from testifying or producing any books, papers or other documents in any civil action to recover any such penalty, upon the ground that his testimony might tend to convict him of an offense or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. No person shall be prosecuted, punished or subjected to any penalty of forfeiture for or on account of any such act, transaction, matter or thing concerning which he shall, under oath, have testified or produced documentary evidence and no testimony so given or produced shall be received against him upon any criminal investigation or proceeding. No person so testifying shall be exempt from prosecution or punishment for any perjury committed by him in his testimony. This subsection is not intended to give, and shall not be construed as in any manner giving, unto any corporation immunity of any kind.

(c) Plea of guilty.--A defendant charged with a violation of any provision of this chapter may himself plead guilty to the charge in open court. He may also submit to the judge having jurisdiction, in person, by duly authorized agent, or by registered mail, a statement setting forth the following:

(1) That he waives arraignment in open court and the aid of counsel.

(2) That he pleads guilty to the offense as charged.

(3) That he elects and requests that the charge be disposed of and the fine or penalty fixed by the court.

(4) Any explanation that he desires to make concerning the offense charged.

(5) That he makes all statements under penalty of perjury.

Thereupon the judge may proceed as though the defendant had been convicted upon a plea of guilty in open court. Any imposition of fine or penalty under this section shall be deemed tentative until the fine or penalty has been paid and discharged in full. If, upon receipt of the aforesaid statement, the judge shall deny the same, he shall thereupon notify the defendant of this fact and that he is required to appear before the said judge at a stated time and place to answer the charge which shall thereafter be disposed of pursuant to the applicable provisions of law.

(d) Statement of disposition of case.--Subject to any inconsistent procedures and standards relating to reports and transmission of funds prescribed pursuant to Title 42 (relating to judiciary and judicial procedure), the court before whom any person shall be tried shall, at the termination of the trial or proceeding, forthwith mail or deliver to the department at Harrisburg a certified statement of the disposition of the case or proceeding giving the date thereof, the name of the defendant, the date and place of the violation, the name of each witness sworn in support of the charges and the amount of the fine or penalty paid.

(e) Section not exclusive.--This section:

(1) Does not prohibit the prosecution of violations of this chapter in any court of competent jurisdiction in the same manner as other offenses.

(2) Is subject to any inconsistent general rules relating to actions for the collection of fines and penalties.

(Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days)

1978 Amendment. Act 53 amended subsecs. (d) and (e).