Definition: Latin for “under penalty,” a subpoena is a court order issued to compel a witness to appear at a certain time and place to provide testimony at a deposition, hearing, trial or other adversarial proceeding. Witnesses failing to comply with the subpoena are subject to criminal penalty.
Pronunciation: Sa-PEE-na
Also Known As: Subpoena Duces Tecum
Examples: When Dr. Brown refused to testify at trial, defendant’s counsel issued a subpoena to compel his attendance.
