Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: CAN-SPAM Act of 2003: Senate Commerce Committee Report
A John Doe summons is a legal document that is used when the name of the person being summoned is not known. It can be used in court cases or by the Internal Revenue Service to gather information about an unknown taxpayer. A summons is a notice that requires a person to appear in court as a juror or witness, or for a defendant to answer a plaintiff's claim. There are different types of summons, including alias summons, judgment summons, and short summons. Summoning someone means requesting their presence or information through a legal document.
A John Doe summons is a type of summons used when the name of the person being summoned is unknown at the time of service. It is a legal document that requires the recipient to appear in court or provide information related to a legal case.
These examples illustrate how a John Doe summons can be used in different legal contexts when the identity of the person being summoned is not yet known.