What is a subpoena and its effect?

• A. A juror's request to be excused from service.
• B. A court order commanding appearance or production of evidence; noncompliance can incur penalties.
• C. An affirmative defense used in criminal trials.
• D. An informal instruction from a judge.

Answer: (B)

A subpoena is a formal court command that requires someone to appear in court to testify or to produce documents or other evidence for a legal proceeding. There are two common kinds: one bites to compel a witness to show up and give testimony, and the other to compel the production of records or physical items. When you receive a subpoena, you must comply unless a court shows it was issued improperly, or you can claim a recognized privilege or other valid reason to resist. If you ignore a subpoena or fail to comply, the court can sanction you for contempt, which may involve fines or even brief detention until you comply. Subpoenas must be properly served and are subject to limits like relevance, scope, and undue burden; you can challenge them if they’re overly broad, seek privileged information, or impose an unfair burden. They’re not informal judge instructions or defenses—they are enforceable orders backed by the authority of the court.