Subpoena

Definition

Subpoena is a noun meaning a formal writ or order commanding a person to appear in court (or before a tribunal) or to produce specified evidence; as a verb (transitive), it means to serve someone with such an order or to compel appearance or production of evidence by legal process.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb (transitive)

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA: /səˈpiːnə/
• Respelling: suh-PEE-nuh

British English

• IPA: /səˈpiːnə/
• Respelling: suh-PEE-nuh

Etymology

From Medieval Latin legal phrase sub poena “under penalty,” indicating that failure to comply may be punishable. Adopted into Anglo-Latin and then English to name the writ compelling appearance or evidence.

Derivatives

• subpoenas / subpoenae (plural noun; the latter is Latinized and rare)
• subpoenaed (past tense & past participle, verb)
• subpoenaing (present participle, verb)
• subpoena duces tecum (noun phrase) — an order to produce documents, records, or other tangible evidence
• subpoena ad testificandum (noun phrase) — an order to appear and testify
• subpena (variant spelling, chiefly U.S., nonstandard)

Synonyms

• writ
• summons
• court order
• process
• mandate (legal context)

Antonyms

• discharge
• quashal/quashing (of a subpoena)
• vacatur
• release
• exemption

Usage

Noun: “The committee issued a subpoena for the emails and server logs.” / “Failure to comply with the subpoena may result in contempt.”

Verb: “Prosecutors subpoenaed the witness to appear next Monday.” / “The agency is subpoenaing internal accounting records.”

Related Terms

• Service of process: The formal delivery of legal documents, including subpoenas.
• Contempt of court: Sanction for disobeying a court order, including a subpoena.
• Deposition: Out-of-court sworn testimony, often compelled by subpoena.
• Summons: Notice requiring a party to appear; distinct from a subpoena but related.
• Motion to quash: Request to invalidate a subpoena.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A writ commanding a person to appear and testify — commonly termed a subpoena ad testificandum.
  • Example: “A subpoena required the CEO to testify before the grand jury.”
• A writ requiring the production of documents or things — a subpoena duces tecum.
  • Example: “Counsel served a subpoena duces tecum for the laboratory records.”

Verb

• To serve with or compel by subpoena — to require legally that a person appear or produce evidence.
  • Example: “Investigators subpoenaed the vendor’s billing invoices.”