§ 16–1904. Forfeiture and penalty for failure to produce.

If an officer or other person to whom a writ of habeas corpus is directed neglects or refuses to:

(1) make return of the writ; or

(2) bring the body of the person detained —

according to the command of the writ, he shall forfeit to the person detained the sum of $500, and be liable to attachment and punishment as for a contempt.