If you receive a summons or subpoena, don’t ignore it. These official documents pertain to legal matters that require your response; failing to do so can come with severe penalties. To understand the importance of summonses and subpoenas, here’s a closer look at both.

Summonses Kick-Start Cases

Used in civil lawsuits and criminal cases, a summons is a document notifying a defendant they’re being sued and must appear in court for a hearing. People are also sent a summons in the mail for jury duty, while a sheriff or court-appointed official will hand-deliver the document during divorce proceedings. Businesses receive summonses during lawsuits too.

The document includes which court issued the summons, names of the defendant and plaintiff, the case number, and why the summons was issued. The person must sign to show it was received. How many days the defendant has to provide a written response to the complaint is included too. It must be sent to the chief clerk of the circuit court, as well as the plaintiff’s attorney or the plaintiff directly. Failing to respond can result in the plaintiff winning the case by default.

Subpoenas Are Sent After Cases Start

Once a case begins, the court may call individuals to provide testimony or produce evidence. Defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, and others who are indirectly related to the case can receive subpoenas. It may be hand-delivered, e-mailed, or sent as certified mail.

The subpoena may be issued for a document request or an appearance in court or at a deposition. It includes which court or government agency sent the subpoena, whether it pertains to a lawsuit or investigation, and details on when and where the person has to appear. It’ll also state the consequences for not appearing, such as being held in contempt of court, which includes jail time or steep fines.

If you need to send a summons or subpoena, contact the process servers at AAA Legal Process, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. These legal professionals serve clients throughout Oahu and also provide court filing and document retrieval. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (808) 376-7720.