Legal Definitions - summon

Summon (verb)

To summon someone in a legal context means to formally and officially order them to appear in court or before a legal authority. This command is typically delivered through a written legal document, also known as a summons, which specifies the date, time, and reason for their required appearance.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Example 1: A Witness to a Crime

  Imagine a person who witnessed a significant car accident. The prosecuting attorney believes their testimony is crucial for the trial. The court would then summon this individual by sending them a formal document requiring them to appear in court on a specific date to provide their account of the events under oath.

  This illustrates "summon" because the court is issuing an official command to the witness, compelling their presence to provide evidence relevant to the legal proceedings.

• Example 2: Jury Duty Notification

  A citizen receives a letter in the mail from their local court, informing them that they have been selected for potential jury service and must report to the courthouse on a particular morning. This letter is often referred to as a jury summons.

  This is an example of "summon" because the court is formally ordering the citizen to appear for jury selection, fulfilling a civic duty that is legally mandated.

• Example 3: Responding to a Lawsuit

  A small business owner is accused of failing to deliver services as promised in a contract. The aggrieved client files a lawsuit, and the court then issues a document to the business owner, formally notifying them of the lawsuit and requiring them to appear in court by a certain date to respond to the allegations.

  Here, the court is using a summons to officially command the business owner to participate in the legal process, ensuring they are aware of the lawsuit and have an opportunity to present their defense.