subpoena
suh-PEE-nuh
/səˈpiː.nə/
A writ ordering a person to attend court or produce evidence; to issue such an order.
A subpoena is a mandatory order; ignoring it results in legal punishment for contempt of court.
The story behind the word. From Latin sub ('under') and poena ('penalty'). Early English legal writs began with the phrase ordering attendance 'sub poena centum librarum' (under penalty of 100 pounds fine).
Word relationships
- summons: A summons commands a defendant to appear; a subpoena commands testimony or evidence.
- writ: Writ is a broader term for any formal written command from a court.
Commonly confused with
- summons: A summons initiates litigation against a party; a subpoena demands evidence/witnesses.
Word family
- subpoenaed (verb): Past tense of subpoena.
Collocations
- issue a subpoena
- subpoena records
- comply with a subpoena
Idioms & expressions
- under subpoena
Example sentences
- "The committee issued a subpoena demanding internal corporate emails." Congressional Investigation
- "The defense attorney will subpoena key eyewitnesses to testify next week." Trial Preparation
Memory hook
SUB-POENA = SUB (under) + POENA (penalty). Comply or suffer penalty! Under penalty of law: Subpoena.
When not to use
Do not use to describe an informal invitation or non-binding request.
Fun facts
- In many legal systems, failing to obey a subpoena leads directly to an arrest warrant for contempt.
Related words
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