Subpoenas

A subpoena is an order from a court that says a person has to:

• appear in court
• supply documents, papers, and other materials for court or review OR
• both of the above

Read the subpoena carefully. It may give you instructions on when and where to appear in court. A subpoena also has certain information you need to know. This information depends on who sent it. 

• If your subpoena is from the court:

The subpoena must state the name of the court and the title of the case, if the subpoena is for a hearing, trial, or deposition.

• If your subpoena is from a lawyer:

The subpoena must include: the lawyer’s printed name, the lawyer’s registration number, the office address and phone number, and who the lawyer represents.

There are rules about who can “serve” a subpoena. A subpoena may be given to you (served) by the sheriff, a deputy sheriff, or any person at least 18 years of age who is not a party to the case.

If you have any questions about the subpoena, contact the individual who issued the subpoena.

Contact the individual who issued the subpoena if:

• you need an interpreter or need special accommodations due to a disability
• if you have a problem with the scheduled court date. Note: The judge might not change the date even if you ask for it.

You could face legal consequences if you don’t do what the subpoena orders. You can be held in contempt of court, and a judge could issue a warrant for your arrest.

Not all subpoenas order you to appear in court. If you have questions about what it is that you need to do, you should contact the individual who issued the subpoena.

If you are afraid of legal issues that could happen if you follow the orders of the subpoena, call a lawyer as soon as possible. If you are an undocumented immigrant and get a subpoena, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.

• The Legal Rights Center (Hennepin County)
  Go to: www.legalrightscenter.org or call 612-337-0030.
   
• The Neighborhood Justice Center (Ramsey County)
  Go to: www.njcinc.org or call 651-222-4703.
   
• The Indian Legal Assistance Program (for St. Louis, Carlton, Lake, Cook, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Pine, Crow Wing and Morrison counties)
  Go to: http://ilap-duluth.com or call 218-727-2881.
   
• The Regional Native Public Defense Corporation (If you are a member of the White Earth or Leech Lake Reservations and live in Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, and Mahnomen counties)
  Go to: https://www.nativedefense.org/ or call 218-339-5680.