What is a subpoena?

What is a subpoena?

• A. A court order requiring the defendant to pay damages.
• B. A notice requesting attendance at a hearing.
• C. A command issued by a court requiring a person to appear and/or produce documents or evidence.
• D. A writ to attach property.

Answer: (C)

A subpoena is a court command that requires a person to appear at a legal proceeding and/or bring specific documents or evidence. It’s used to compel testimony or the production of records, either for witnesses who aren’t parties to the case or for a party needing additional information. There are two common forms: one to make someone testify (ad testificandum) and another to require documents (duces tecum). The subpoena specifies when and where to appear and what to bring, and failing to comply can lead to penalties or contempt of court. It differs from orders to pay damages (that would be a judgment or monetary award), from a simple notice to attend a hearing (which lacks the mandatory enforcement and potential penalties), and from a writ to attach property (that is a different kind of enforcement action).

A subpoena is a court command that requires a person to appear at a legal proceeding and/or bring specific documents or evidence. It’s used to compel testimony or the production of records, either for witnesses who aren’t parties to the case or for a party needing additional information. There are two common forms: one to make someone testify (ad testificandum) and another to require documents (duces tecum). The subpoena specifies when and where to appear and what to bring, and failing to comply can lead to penalties or contempt of court. It differs from orders to pay damages (that would be a judgment or monetary award), from a simple notice to attend a hearing (which lacks the mandatory enforcement and potential penalties), and from a writ to attach property (that is a different kind of enforcement action).