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What is a subpoena? What does it mean to you? Hi, I'm Dr. Guy Di Martino. I'm an injury
and accident lawyer, and today I'd like to explain the subpoena.
The first thing with terms that we might not know. Let's define "subpoena." When you look
to the Latin root of the meaning of the word, it means "under penalty." Sub, under. Poena,
penalty.
If you have been lucky enough to have received a subpoena, you need to know that it was a
document that was either issued by the court, the clerk, or an attorney who is an officer
of the court.
The subpoena is compelling something. It's either compelling and requiring you to produce
documents and the subpoena might be titled "subpoena duces tecum," or it's compelling
your presence to either a deposition or to court because you might be a witness, or it
could be compelling both and you are required to bring certain documents.
This you need to know. When you're served with a subpoena, don't just throw it away.
You need to comply with the subpoena because if you do not comply, you can be held in contempt
of court and that can cost you money, or that can cost you time in the pokey, or that can
cost you both money and time.
If you have any questions about a subpoena, you can always call me directly on my cell
phone at 352-267-9168.
Thank you, and have yourself a great day.