Sometimes there is confusion about what to do when you receive a subpoena, or even WHY you may have received one. At the bottom of this page, you will see a sample of a Subpoena (pink) you could receive from our office if you were involved in a criminal case as a Victim, or Witness for the Commonwealth in an upcoming Trial, or a Pre-Trial hearing. Please take a moment to review it.

It is very important once you receive a subpoena, to look over your contact information. If anything has changed, is incorrect, or you have additional contact information, PLEASE let us know immediately.

If you are needed to appear, we will call you with specific directions as to exactly what day, time and where to appear, so current and up to date home, work, and cell phone numbers are extremely important. PLEASE: DO NOT APPEAR AT OUR OFFICE UNTIL YOU HAVE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM US DIRECTING YOU TO DO SO. We will give you as much notice as possible. Usually we will call the week prior to the date printed, as a reminder that the case is coming up for trial. This gives us one final opportunity to ensure your contact information is correct and also to verify your schedule so we won't have any trouble reaching you with the specific information. Once we are notified (in the event of a trial) what day and time the trial will occur, we will contact you. This most commonly happens the day before the actual trial. The time you are asked to appear will be before the time of the actual trial. This allows time for you to meet with the specific District Attorney at our office to discuss your role in the case, and explain what will happen in court.

If you find you have a prior engagement, (i.e.: scheduled vacation, doctors appointment, etc.) that falls during the time period or specific date appearing on your subpoena, we ask that again, you contact our office as soon as possible, so we can make every attempt to reschedule the hearing, or adjust what day the actual trial falls. We will do our best to work with you should a conflict or special need arise but it is imperative you contact us as soon as possible in order for us to accommodate you. Please keep in mind that it is ultimately up to the District Attorney prosecuting the case to make the determination as to whether or not you may be excused from appearing.

If your employer has reservations about allowing you to be away from your work site to attend this hearing, please have your employer contact us. We will be more than happy to explain the process to them. We will make every attempt to limit the amount of time you have to wait to testify. But please keep in mind that at times, things do come up and delays may occur.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office or the Victim Services Division with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the case you may be involved in. We will be more than happy to assist you as best as possible.

Sample Subpoena

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA      : IN THE COURT OF COMMON 

                                                                      : PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND

VS.                                                                : COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA NINTH 

                                                                     : JUDICIAL DISTRICT

DEFENDANTS NAME HERE                        : CP-21-CR-0000-YEAR 

                                        COMMONWEALTH SUBPOENA

FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA TO :

Your Name Here

12345 Anywhere Street

Anywhere, PA 17000 H: (717) 111-1111 W: (717) 222-2222

YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED to set aside all manner of business or excuse and to personally appear in the Court of Common Pleas Cumberland County, District Attorney's Office, Room 202, <inserted day>, <inserted date>, at <inserted time> ., and to remain thereafter until excused by the District Attorney, to provide testimony on behalf of the Commonwealth to those things which you know on the above matter and to bring all documents pertaining to the said matter. 

If you fail to attend or to produce the documents or things required by this subpoena, you may be subject to the sanctions authorized by law.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: 
THIS SUBPOENA IS EFFECTIVE THE ENTIRE WEEK OF MONDAY, <inserted date> , AND(sometimes a second week is listed) MONDAY, <inserted date>. DO NOT REPORT until you receive a phone call from the District Attorney's Office telling you exactly when and where to report. Please arrange your schedule accordingly. Cumberland County District Attorney's Office, One Courthouse Square, Carlisle, PA 17013 . (717) 240-6210 or 697-0371; 532-7286 Ext. 6210.

    BY THE COURT: 

    BY: __________<signature>____________ 

    CLERK OF COURTS

    DATE: <date printed>