Witness Information

You may be subpoenaed to testify as a witness in a criminal case if you were the victim of a crime, saw what happened, or have other information related to the case.

Witnesses may be required to testify in trial or or the hearings. Either the prosecutor other defendant's attorney may have witnesses subpoenaed to testify. A subpoena is a court order and it requires a witness to attend court and tell the truth.

Witness testimony could happen on the date listed on the subpoena, but frequently occurs sometime later due to court delays or the length of testimony from other witnesses.   However, witnesses with special scheduling needs must immediately notify the office that issued the subpoena because rescheduling is more difficult closer to the trial or hearing date. Note that trials are sometimes rescheduled or canceled, such as when a defendant enters a guilty plea. When trials are rescheduled, the outstanding subpoenas still apply and witnesses are still required to attend court on the rescheduled dates unless otherwise notified by a member of the District Attorney's Office. Failure to respond to a subpoena or failure to attend a trial or hearing as required may cause a court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the subpoenaed witness.