Subpoena
/səbˈpiːnə/
nounverbC2
Definition
A subpoena is an official paper from a court or legal authority that requires a person to go to court or to give important papers or information. It is used to help find the truth in legal cases. When used as a verb, it means to send this official order to someone.
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See It in Action
Noun: An official legal paper ordering someone to appear in court or provide evidence.
- •She received a subpoena to testify in the trial.
- •The lawyer sent a subpoena to the witness to appear next week.
- •The company was served with a subpoena to give documents.
Verb: To officially order someone to come to court or give documents.
- •The court subpoenaed the witness to appear.
- •They subpoenaed the records from the hospital.
- •The judge subpoenaed the suspect for questioning.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "subpoena" like "letter," but a very serious letter that says you must do something for the law.
- ✓Picture a person receiving an important paper that tells them they have to go to court or bring papers.
- ✓It's the feeling of surprise or worry when you get a message that you must appear in court.
- ✓Sounds like "sub-PEE-nuh" → Imagine a "submarine" sending a strong message deep under the sea that you cannot ignore.
- ✓In stories or movies, when a character gets a subpoena, it means they must answer important questions or bring proof.
- ✓NOT like "invitation" (which you can accept or refuse), a subpoena is a command you must follow.
- ✓NOT like "request" (which is polite), a subpoena is a legal order that must be obeyed.
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "ask" gently, but "subpoena" means to officially order someone by law.
Try Other Words
- •Summons: a legal notice to appear in court (Use when the focus is on appearing in court, sometimes more general than subpoena)
- •Warrant: a legal document allowing police to act (Use when the document allows actions like arrest, not just appearance)
- •Citation: a legal notice for minor offenses (Use for small legal matters, like traffic tickets)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "sub-" (under) + "poena" (Latin for penalty or punishment)
- •Etymology: From Latin "sub poena," meaning "under penalty," showing that failure to obey has a punishment
- •Historical development: Used in English law since the 14th century to order people to court under penalty
- •Modern usage: Common in legal systems to require attendance or evidence in trials and investigations
Reflect & Connect
•How might receiving a subpoena change a person's feelings or actions in daily life?
•Why do you think the law uses such a strong order like a subpoena instead of just asking people to come to court?
Fill in the blanks
1.When someone receives a subpoena, they must ___ to court or provide ___ as required by law.
2.A subpoena is different from an invitation because it is a ___ that must be followed, not a ___.
3.Lawyers often ___ witnesses with subpoenas to make sure they appear in court.
4.If a person ignores a subpoena, they might face ___ from the court.
5.The court can ___ documents or information by issuing a subpoena.
6.A subpoena usually comes from a ___ or legal authority, not from a private person.
7.Receiving a subpoena can make someone feel ___ because it means they are involved in a legal case.