The Court of First Instance is hereby vested with jurisdiction to prevent, prohibit, enjoin and punish violations of this chapter, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of Justice to institute proceedings for injunctions or any other proceeding to prevent, prohibit, enjoin and punish such violations, and to obtain such other or further relief as may be appropriate. When a party complained of shall have been duly notified that an action has been filed against him, the court shall proceed, as soon as possible, to the hearing and determination of the case; and pending such proceedings and before final decree, the court may make such temporary restraining orders or prohibition as shall be deemed just in the premises.
The Court of First Instance shall have exclusive jurisdiction to entertain criminal proceedings for violation of this chapter. Disobedience of an order of the court to enforce the provisions of this chapter is punishable as contempt and the person found guilty of said violation may be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), or by imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —June 25, 1964, No. 77, p. 235, § 13.