Legal Definitions - citatory

Citatory

The term citatory describes something that has the legal authority or characteristic of a formal notice, such as a citation or summons. This means it possesses the power to legally compel an individual to appear in court, respond to a legal proceeding, or take a specific action as required by law.

• Imagine a police officer issues a driver a speeding ticket. This ticket is not merely an informal note; it is a document with citatory power. It legally obligates the driver to either pay a fine by a certain date or appear in court to contest the charge. The ticket's ability to compel this action makes it citatory.

• When a court issues a subpoena, which is a formal order for a person to appear and testify as a witness, that subpoena has a citatory nature. It carries the legal force to compel the witness's attendance, rather than simply requesting it. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties.

• Consider a citizen receiving a jury summons in the mail. This official document is citatory because it legally compels the recipient to report for jury duty on a specified date. It is not an invitation but a legal mandate, demonstrating its power to summon individuals for civic duty within the legal system.