Subpoena

A subpoena is a legal document that commands a person to appear at a specified time and place to give testimony or to produce documents or other tangible evidence. It is issued by a court or other legal authority, and is enforceable by contempt of court or other penalties for non-compliance. Subpoenas may be used in civil or criminal cases, and may be directed to parties or non-parties to the case. They should clearly state the date, time, and location of the appearance, the nature of the testimony or evidence sought, and the consequences of failure to comply. Subpoenas are an important tool for parties to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of evidence that may be relevant to their case. They are subject to rules and limitations, such as the relevance and admissibility of the evidence, the protection of privileged or confidential information, and the rights of the subpoenaed person to object or seek to quash the subpoena.