Document to compel a witness to appear?

Document to compel a witness to appear?

• A. Writ of Mandamus
• B. Indictment
• C. Summons
• D. Subpoena

Answer: (D)

A subpoena is the document that compels a witness to appear. It’s a formal order, issued by the court or by an attorney, that directs a person to come to court at a specific time and place to testify, and it can also require the production of documents in some cases. The key feature is the authority to compel attendance and testimony, often with penalties for noncompliance. Subpoenas can take two common forms: one to require testimony (to testify under oath) and another to require production of records (subpoena duces tecum). Writs of mandamus are used to force a public official to perform a duty, not to compel a private witness to appear. An indictment is a formal charge accusing someone of a crime, not a tool for summoning witnesses. A summons serves as notice that a case has been filed and typically directs a party to appear, but it doesn’t carry the same authority to compel a witness to testify or produce evidence in the way a subpoena does.

A subpoena is the document that compels a witness to appear. It’s a formal order, issued by the court or by an attorney, that directs a person to come to court at a specific time and place to testify, and it can also require the production of documents in some cases. The key feature is the authority to compel attendance and testimony, often with penalties for noncompliance. Subpoenas can take two common forms: one to require testimony (to testify under oath) and another to require production of records (subpoena duces tecum).

Writs of mandamus are used to force a public official to perform a duty, not to compel a private witness to appear. An indictment is a formal charge accusing someone of a crime, not a tool for summoning witnesses. A summons serves as notice that a case has been filed and typically directs a party to appear, but it doesn’t carry the same authority to compel a witness to testify or produce evidence in the way a subpoena does.