subpoena
A legal paper that says a person must go to court or must give information or documents to a court.
An official written order from a court or legal authority that requires a person to appear and/or provide evidence, such as documents or testimony.
To send a legal paper that says a person must go to court or must give information or documents.
To officially require someone, by issuing a subpoena, to appear in a legal proceeding or to provide evidence such as documents or testimony.
- Base: subpoena
- Plural: subpoenas
- Base: subpoena
- 3rd Person Singular: subpoenas
- Present Participle: subpoenaing
- Past: subpoenaed
comply with a subpoena
1obey a subpoena
To do what the subpoena tells you to do, such as going to court or giving documents.
- The company refused to comply with the subpoena, leading to a legal battle.
- He agreed to comply with the subpoena and hand over the files.
ignore a subpoena
1refuse to obey a subpoena
To not do what a subpoena orders you to do, even though it is required by law.
- Anyone who ignores a subpoena risks being held in contempt of court.
- Several officials chose to ignore the subpoenas from the committee.
issue a subpoena
1formally send a subpoena
To officially create and send a legal paper that orders someone to go to court or give information.
- The panel voted to issue a subpoena for the missing records.
- If the witness refuses to appear, the judge can issue a subpoena.
serve a subpoena
1officially deliver a subpoena
To officially give a subpoena to a person in the correct legal way.
- An officer came to his house to serve a subpoena.
- The company claims the subpoena was never properly served.
subpoena duces tecum
1subpoena for documents or evidence
A special kind of subpoena that tells a person to bring certain documents or things to court.
- The court issued a subpoena duces tecum for the company’s internal emails.
- Her lawyer received a subpoena duces tecum requesting all medical records from the last five years.
subpoena power
1authority to issue subpoenas
The legal right of a court or group to send subpoenas to people or companies.
- The committee does not have subpoena power, so witnesses can refuse to appear.
- Lawmakers debated whether to give the new agency subpoena power.
under subpoena
1legally required by subpoena
Describes a person who has received a subpoena and must obey it.
- She spoke to reporters but said she could not share details because she was under subpoena.
- The documents are being turned over to the court under subpoena.