A subpoena is a legal document that commands a person or entity to testify as a witness at a specified time and place (at a deposition, trial, or other hearing), and/or to produce documents or other tangible objects in a legal proceeding. Subpoenas are time-sensitive with court-imposed deadlines.

What does it mean to be issued a subpoena?

A subpoena is a formal written order that requires a person to appear before a court, or other legal proceedings (such as a Congressional hearing), and testify, or produce documentation. ... A subpoena cannot be ignored as it is a court order and a failure to respond to it may be punishable as contempt of court.

Does a subpoena mean you have to go to court?

The short answer to this is that a subpoena is a legally binding court order for you to appear in Court. Failure to abide by a court order can result in a finding of contempt. ... In order to be legally binding, the subpoena must be legally served on the alleged victim or other witness.