Understanding Subpoenas - Texas Council on Family Violence

I. SUBPOENA BASICS 13can compel the witness to appear and testify in a criminal trial, by an examiningcourt, at a coroner’s inquest, before a grand jury, at a habeas corpus proceedingor any other criminal proceeding. 4Deposition subpoena: A deposition subpoena is a personal subpoena thatcompels a person to appear for deposition at the time and place stated in thenotice of deposition. 5 A nonparty may be subpoenaed to appear for a depositionwithout producing any documents. 6 Testimony provided in a deposition is givenunder oath. Videotaped depositions can be presented at trial in lieu a witness’personal appearance, or for other purposes, such as impeachment of a witness attrial. 7 A deposition subpoena usually compels the witness to appear at a lawoffice or other location and remain day to day until the deposition is concluded.Discovery subpoena (subpoena duces tecum): 8 A discovery subpoena is issuedto compel a nonparty to produce documents. The person commanded toproduce documents or other materials need not appear in person unless thesubpoena commands the person to attend and give testimony. 9The subpoenaed person or entity is entitled to “reasonable” reimbursement for the costof production, duplication, or copies. 10 Discovery subpoenas may include a formfor acknowledgment or an affidavit to be completed by the custodian of recordscertifying that copies provided are true and correct copies of the originals.B. <strong>Subpoenas</strong> – Issuance, Notice and Service1. Issuance of a subpoenaIn civil cases, subpoenas may be issued by the following persons:4 Tex. Code Crim. P. 24.01(a).5 Tex. R. Civ. P. 176.1 (e), 176.2.6 Tex. R. Civ. P. 205.1 (a), (b).7 Tex. R. Evid. 801(e)(3); Tex. Code Crim. P Ch. 39 etseq. “Depositions and Discovery.”8 The <strong>Texas</strong> rules no longer use the term“subpoena duces tecum.”9 Tex. R. Civ. P. 176.6(c).10 Tex. R. Civ. P. 205.3(f)UNDERSTANDING SUBPOENAS