What is a Court Subpoena?

A subpoena is a formal written court order that requires a person or entity to appear in court, testify in a legal proceeding, or provide documents or other types of evidence in a case. Courts, lawyers, government agencies, and law enforcement issue subpoenas, which can be used in various legal settings, such as administrative hearings, civil lawsuits, and criminal trials.

You cannot ignore a subpoena. The consequences for ignoring a subpoena will be based on the specific jurisdiction and circumstances of the case. In general, if you fail to respond to it on time or comply with the specific order issued, you will be held in contempt of court, pay fines, and even land in jail.

Understanding The Different Kinds of Subpoenas

There are various kinds of subpoenas, with the following being the most common:

• A deposition subpoena that requires an individual to attend a deposition and answer questions as a witness.
• A subpoena for documents, which requires an individual to produce specific documents or materials.
• A hearing or trial subpoena that requires an individual to appear as a witness at a hearing or trial and testify.
• A grand jury subpoena, which is used to obtain evidence and determine if a crime has been committed.

What to Do If You’ve Been Served a Subpoena?

• Contact your Marion criminal defense lawyer right away. You must deal with it as soon as possible to ensure your legal rights and personal or business information’s confidentiality are protected. Failing to respond or responding improperly to a subpoena may lead to severe consequences, including fines, being held in contempt, or forfeiture of your rights.
• Don’t throw away or destroy any documents or materials that potentially could have anything to do with the subpoena you’ve been served. Whether or not you will comply with the request ordered or provide the information you are ordered to provide, you are legally obligated to preserve information and materials relating to the subpoena.
• Do not discuss the contents of the subpoena or related investigation or lawsuit with anyone other than your lawyer and only talk about it to people your attorney has approved. It is immensely crucial to note that anything you say (no matter how insignificant it may seem to you) about the subpoena, investigation, or lawsuit to anyone other than your lawyer or others involved in your case that require information about the subpoena will be fair game if you are ordered to appear at a deposition, and you must answer questions under oath related to those seemingly innocent conversations.

Speak to an Experienced Marion Criminal Defense Lawyer Now

If you have been served with a subpoena and need help with it, reach out to the Marion criminal defense lawyer at The Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, LLC, promptly. They can ensure that you respond appropriately to the subpoena on time and make certain you understand what you need to do moving forward. Call our office or reach us online to schedule your free consultation with our Marion criminal defense lawyer.