The Surprise of a Subpoena
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by: arnoldbosel
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Word Count: 507
Date: Wed, 2 Nov 2011 Time: 7:58 AM
There you are minding your own business in the grocery store. Right in front of you, someone trips and falls. You rush up to help and the store manager asks your name which you willingly give. A few days later, a process server hands you a subpoena because you were a witness to the accident. The first thing you should do is remain calm and then call an attorney in Frederick, MD.
Being handed a subpoena may seem like trouble has arrived, but it is only a written order or legal document telling you that you are compelled to appear on a certain day in court or before a grand jury. You can also be ordered to produce evidence that may be of importance to the case. For example, if you just happen to take a cell phone picture of the slip and fall and someone saw you do so, the subpoena may require you to produce the picture to be used as evidence during a later court hearing.
What You Know or Possess
People get served subpoenas for many reasons. They witness car accidents, possess records of importance, witness crimes taking place, or just happen to see someone or something get injured or damaged. A subpoena just means that someone thinks you know something of importance to the case or have valuable evidence that can help either a plaintiff or a defendant.
The subpoena should be read closely to determine what is expected of you. Letting an attorney in Frederick, MD read it is advisable, and especially if there is any chance you may end up being more deeply involved as evidence comes to light. Yu must preserve all of the evidence the subpoena seeks so you can't be charged with obstruction of justice. In addition, you should not talk to anyone except the attorney.
You are required by law to do whatever the subpoena compels you to do. If it says you must show up for court then that is what you have to do. Failure to appear could lead to you being held in contempt of court.
Producing a Document
The subpoena duces tecum (SDT) is a subpoena that requires you to produce a document or evidence as opposed to an appearance in court. An attorney in Frederick, MD should always be consulted and allowed to analyze the evidence. This is necessary to insure you do not produce evidence that can force you to self-incriminate. If the documents you are being asked to produce would incriminate you then you can fight the subpoena.
In some cases the attorney can work with authorities to either offer your cooperation or to negotiate immunity in exchange for the documents.
The legal process is complex and should not be maneuvered without the assistance of a lawyer. The criminal attorney in Frederick, MD can review the subpoena and determine the best way to deal with the requests in it. The one thing you should not do is try to talk to authorities alone. Even simple cases can turn complicated.
About the Author
The author of this article is working for a www.wardlawoffices.com. If you want to know more about Attorney Frederick, MD or Defense Attorney Fredrick, MD, than please visit the website linked here.
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