If you have received a legal document called a subpoena
from a process server, it is important that you know what this paper
is and what it means to you. A subpoena is an order issued by the court
requiring you to appear in person at a certain place, date and time
to testify as a witness about a particular case. In a criminal case,
you can be subpoenaed only to testify in court. In a civil case, you
may be subpoenaed for out-of-court testimony as well. In either kind
of case, a subpoena may require you to provide documents.
A subpoena must be delivered in person. In most cases this can be done by one of the parties in the case or by anyone who is 18 or older.
If you are not one of the parties in the case, you should receive an
attendance fee and transportation costs (based on mileage) for appearing
at the designated time and place. In a civil case, the person serving
the subpoena should give you cash or a check for the attendance fee
and transportation costs when he or she serves you with the subpoena.
In a criminal case, you will be paid your witness fee and mileage costs
after you travel to the designated place and testify as a witness.
Read the subpoena carefully. The subpoena will tell you: the names
of the parties; the date, time and place you will need to appear; the
name of the lawyer who issued the subpoena; and the location and type
of court in which the lawsuit is taking place.
If the subpoena requires you to bring certain documents or other objects,
they should be described in the subpoena or in a separate paper given
to you along with the subpoena.
You may object in writing to any subpoena, listing all the reasons
you think it is unfair or unjust for you to appear or to produce such
documents or objects. Objections should be filed with the court immediately,
not on the date you are required to appear or provide the documents.
You may want to consult with a lawyer to make sure that your objections
are filed correctly and on time.
A subpoena will also require that you remain at the place described
until the testimony is closed, unless the judge excuses you. However,
at the end of each day, you should contact the lawyer for the party
who subpoenaed you to find out if you may be called the next day, or
sometime in the future. This may help to prevent confusion or unnecessary
time spent waiting.
If you do not appear as the subpoena orders, you may be found in contempt
of court. Contempt of court may result in a jail term. The court may
also require you to pay compensation fees to the parties who may have
been damaged by your failure to appear. The court may also issue a
warrant for your arrest and ask the sheriff to take you into custody
and bring you to the place at which your testimony is required.
If it is impossible or extremely difficult for you to appear at the
time required by the subpoena, call the lawyer for the party who issued
the subpoena. Usually, the lawyer’s name, address and phone number
will appear on the subpoena. He or she might be able to postpone your
testimony so you could testify at another time. You should keep in
mind, however, that the lawyer may not be able to change the date and
time of your requested appearance if a court date is already established
and cannot be moved. If it is absolutely impossible for you to appear,
or if it would be seriously harmful to your health or business, you
should seek the advice of your own lawyer to decide if there may be
legal grounds for you to be excused.
Legal editor: Tracy A. Prall, May 2008
Updated by Simeon Rapoport, February 2013