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subpena :: legal definition


Subpena - (subpoena): (suh-pea-nah) n. an order of the court for a witness to appear at a particular time and place to testify and/or produce documents in the control of the witness (if a "subpena duces tecum"). A subpena is used to obtain testimony from a witness at both depositions (testimony under oath taken outside of court) and at trial. Subpenas are usually issued automatically by the court clerk but must be served personally on the party being summoned. Failure to appear as required by the subpena can be punished as contempt of court if it appears the absence was intentional or without cause.

See also: contempt of court deposition subpena duces tecum subpoena witness and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
appearance :: n. the act of a party or an attorney showing up in ... neral appearance special appearance
attorney :: n. 1) an agent or someone authorized to act for an ... ialize. See also: court reciprocity
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
citation :: n. 1) a notice to appear in court due to the proba ... se is not in point." See also: cite
contempt of court :: n. there are essentially two types of contempt: a) ... roduce evidence. See also: sanction
credibility :: n. whether testimony is worthy of belief, based on ... jective. See also: credible witness
deposition :: n. the taking and recording of testimony of a witn ... See also: deponent depose discovery
direct examination :: n. the first questioning of a witness during a tri ... nation deposition testimony witness
evidence :: n. every type of proof legally presented at trial ... material object objection relevant
examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
forum non conveniens :: (for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) n. Latin for a fo ... most convenient location for trial.
general appearance :: n. an attorney's representation of a client in cou ... case. See also: special appearance
hearsay rule :: n. the basic rule that testimony or documents whic ... interest dying declaration hearsay
inspection of documents :: n. the right to examine and copy the opposing part ... evidence subpena duces tecum trial
interrogatories :: n. a set of written questions to a party to a laws ... ing. See also: deposition discovery
jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman
lay a foundation :: v. in evidence, to provide to the judge the qualif ... ce and training. See also: evidence
nunc pro tunc :: (nuhnk proh tuhnk) adj. Latin for "now for then," ... r actuality of a bigamous marriage.
officer of the court :: n. any person who has an obligation to promote jus ... also: attorney bailiff clerk judge
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
refresh one's memory :: v. to use a document, exhibit or previous testimon ... it is genuine). See also: testimony
rogatory letters :: n. a written request by a judge to a judge in anot ... also: deposition testimony witness
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
sequester :: v. to keep separate or apart. In so-called "high-p ... of others. See also: sequestration
special appearance :: n. the representation by an attorney of a person i ... anged. See also: general appearance
subpena duces tecum :: : (suh-pea-nah dooh-chess-take-uhm or dooh-kess-ta ... ng a court order. See also: witness
testify :: v. to give oral evidence under oath in answer to q ... deposition evidence testimony trial
testimony :: n. oral evidence given under oath by a witness in ... tion evidence testify trial witness
transcript :: n. the written record of all proceedings, includin ... unless transcription is requested.
warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant
will :: n. a written document which leaves the estate of t ... will and testament probate testator
witness :: 1) n. a person who testifies under oath in a trial ... lso: deposition evidence trial will
witness stand :: n. a chair at the end of the judge's bench on the ... estimony clearly. See also: witness

Popular Law Searches

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Other Law Terms - S

said :: adj. a reference back to a thing that was previous ... automobile in a negligent manner."
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salvage :: 1) v. to save goods. 2) n. payment to a person or ... which saves cargo from a shipwreck.
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satisfaction :: n. receiving payment or performance of what is due ... n contract satisfaction of judgment
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seal :: n. a device which creates an impression upon paper ... e "sealed," but that is rare today.
sealed verdict :: n. the decision of a jury when there is a delay in ... reconvenes. See also: jury verdict
sealing of records :: n. trial records and decisions which a judge order ... eep the terms from public scrutiny.
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search warrant :: n. a written order by a judge which permits a law ... ble cause search search and seizure
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