Can I Ignore a Subpoena?

Some people think they’ve been unjustly subpoenaed, while others believe that if they ignore their responsibilities, then they will go away on their own. It may be in the best interest of the subpoenaed party to not ignore a subpoena and take it seriously. Here’s why:

What is a subpoena?

A subpoena is a document that attorneys use to gather information from individuals or organizations for their case. This can happen in one of two ways: a subpoena ad testificandum, which requires you to testify in court, or a subpoena duces tecum, which requires you to produce documents and other types of physical evidence for a particular case. Both types of subpoenas can be delivered to their intended recipient by a process server.

Why you shouldn’t ignore a subpoena

If a process server shows up at your doorstep with a subpoena in their hands, then take it seriously. If a subpoena is ignored a court can and may determine that fines and penalties should be levied against the individual or entity that has disregarded it. In that regard, it is best for the recipient to either comply with the subpoena or hire an attorney to discuss possible options.

Reliant Court Services, Inc. provides process serving and litigation support services for a variety of legal cases and transactions worldwide. For more information, call us today at 631-567-3120. Please note that Reliant Court Services, Inc. are not attorneys, and may not render legal advice. Hence, this commentary is not legal advice, and should not be treated as such. If you have been served with a subpoena please contact an attorney.