49 U.S.C. § 60120 — Enforcement

(a) Civil Actions. (1) Civil Actions To Enforce This Chapter. At the Secretary of Transportation's request, the Attorney General can sue in a U.S. district court to enforce this chapter — including section 60112 — or a regulation or order issued under it. The court can grant relief such as a temporary or permanent injunction, punitive damages, and civil penalties, using the same factors the Secretary would use in an administrative penalty case under section 60122. But the dollar caps that apply to administrative penalties under section 60122 do not apply to penalties a court awards in this kind of lawsuit. (2) Civil Actions To Require Compliance With Subpoenas or Allow Inspections. At the Secretary's request, the Attorney General can also sue to make someone obey a subpoena immediately, or to let a Secretary-authorized officer, employee, or agent enter the person's property to inspect records and check compliance. This suit can be filed where the defendant lives, is found, or does business. A court can treat disobeying its order as contempt of court. (b) Jury Trial Demand. If someone is tried for criminal contempt for violating a court injunction issued under this section — where that violation is also a violation of this chapter — the defendant can demand a jury trial, following Rule 42(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. (c) Effect on Tort Liability. This chapter does not change anyone's liability under tort law.