Plain-English Definition
A court order requiring a person to appear and testify or produce documents. Ignoring a subpoena can result in legal penalties.
Legal Meaning
A formal court order commanding a person to appear at a hearing, trial, or deposition, or to produce documents. Failure to comply with a subpoena can result in contempt of court.
Etymology Review
From Latin sub poena, meaning “under penalty.” A subpoena commands action under threat of legal penalty.
Misuse Warning
A subpoena is a court order, not a request. Ignoring it can result in fines or jail time. If you cannot comply, you must formally request a modification or quash the subpoena.
Boundary Note
Lexicon provides general legal and procedural information for educational purposes. It does not provide legal advice, legal representation, legal interpretation for a specific case, strategy, document preparation, or professional judgment. Meanings can vary by jurisdiction, facts, and procedural posture.