Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A subpoena is a legal document that orders a person to appear in court or before a tribunal. If they don't show up, they can be punished. There are different types of subpoenas, including a deposition subpoena, which requires a person to give a sworn statement outside of a trial, and a subpoena duces tecum, which orders a witness to bring specific documents or things to court. To subpoena someone means to call them to court or order them to produce documents.
A deposition subpoena duces tecum is a type of subpoena that orders a witness to appear and bring specified documents, records, or things to a court or other tribunal. The term "duces tecum" means "bring with you" in Latin.
For example, if a lawyer wants to obtain certain documents from a company for a legal case, they may issue a deposition subpoena duces tecum to a representative of the company. The representative would then be required to appear at a specified time and place with the requested documents.
This type of subpoena is different from a regular deposition subpoena, which only requires a witness to appear and give testimony. The deposition subpoena duces tecum is used when specific documents or evidence are needed for a case.