CIV-109 (9/17)(duplex)(no hole punch) 1 How to Subpoena a Witness HOW TO SUBPOENA A WITNESS A subpoena (pronounced "suh PEEN uh") is a court order that requires a person to appear and testify in court (or at a deposition). 1 If you believe a witness may not come to court when you ask, you should have a subpoena issued by the court. If you do not subpoena a witness and the witness There are three types of subpoenas. The first two can be used to order a witness to appear in court. The third is used to order a witness to appear at a deposition. See pages 4 - 6 for copies of all three. 1. The Subpoena to Appeara Subpoena to Appear, do the following: a. oena form. b. Fill in the blanks on the form. See sample on page 4. 2 This subpoena may also order the person being deposed (questioned 1 The court rule on subpoenas in civil cases is Civil Rule 45. 2 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com CIV-109 (9/17)(duplex)(no hole punch) 2 How to Subpoena a Witness b. Show the court clerk proof that the "notice of deposition" has been given, and ask the clerk for a CIV-115 subpoena form. (Note: Do not file the proof with the court just show it to the clerk. 3 ) c. Fill in the blanks on the form. See sample on page 6. d. Have the clerk sign and seal the subpoena. e. Have the subpoena served on the witness as explained in the "Service of Subpoenas" section below. Witness Fees You must pay a witness fee to each witness you subpoena. Witness fees are $12.50 if it will not time to attend the trial or hearing (including travel time). In addition, witnesses who travel more than 30 miles from their residence must also be paid round trip mileage at the rate allowed for state employees. 4 Witnesses attending from a point so far away that they cannot return to their residence day-to-day also receive a per diem for meals and lodging. 5 However, the per diem fees do not need to be paid to the witness when the subpoena is served. A check made payable to the witness for the correct fee must be attached to the subpoena when it is served on the witness. Service of Subpoenas A subpoena can be served by one of the following methods: 1. Certified Mail. A subpoena can be served by registered or certified mail only if it is mailed by the court. To have a subpoena served by certified mail, you will need to provide the following to the court clerk: a. the original and one copy of the subpoena b. the witness fee check or postal money order c. an envelope addressed to the witness with sufficient postage to cover the Postal Service charge for certified mail (including first class postage, the certified mail fee, the restricted delivery fee and the return receipt fee) d. completed certified mail forms from the Postal Service (1) Check the "restricted delivery" box to restrict delivery of the subpoena only to the witness. (2) Address the return delivery receipt (green card) so that it will be returned to you (the party requesting the subpoena). 3 Civil Rule 5(d)(2) 4 Administrative Rule 7; Go to www.courts.alaska.gov and frequently asked questionse Court System Information heading. 5 Administrative Rule 7 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com CIV-109 (9/17)(duplex)(no hole punch) 3 How to Subpoena a Witness e. cash or check made payable to the clerk of court office to serve the subpoena (currently $5.00) 6 The clerk will mail a copy of the subpoena to the witness and retain the original for the court file. After the witness picks up the certified mail, the Post Office will return the green card (return delivery receipt) to you. You should bring the green card receipt with you when you come to court in case you need to prove that the witness was served with the subpoena. If the witness does not pick up the certified mail, you must try personal service, described below. NOTE: You will need to contact the post office to determine the current postage required current fee charged by the court to serve the subpoena by certified mail. 2. Personal Service A subpoena can be served on a witness by any person who is at least 18 years old and who is not a party to the action. This includes licensed process servers and police officers. If you want to use a process server, you can get a list of them from the court clerk's office. Or, contact the Permits and Licensing Unit of the Alaska State Troopers at (907) 269-0393 for a list of licensed process servers. Each process server sets his/her own fees for this service. For more information about process servers, see the booklet CIV-106, How to Serve A Summons. If you choose to have a police officer serve the subpoena, you must contact your local police department for instructions and fee information. The person who has served the subpoena on the witness must provide proof of the service by making a written statement of the facts (such as the date and time of service, the document handed to the witness, the name of the person serving the subpoena, etc.) and signing it. The signature must be notarized. This "proof of service" requirement can be satisfied by filling out the "RETURN" section in the bottom half of the subpoena form. You should bring this written and notarized proof of service with you when you come to your hearing or trial in case you need to prove that the witness was served with the subpoena. 6 Administrative Rule 9(e)(6)(i) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com CIV-109 (9/17)(duplex)(no hole punch) 4 How to Subpoena a Witness IN THE DISTRICT/SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA AT Anchorage ) Jane Austen ) ) Plaintiff(s), ) vs. ) ) ) Walter Scott ) ) CASE NO. 3AN-01-123CI Defendant(s). ) ) SUBPOENA TO APPEAR To: Elizabeth Bennet Address: 123 Pemberly Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 99503 You are commanded to appear in court to testify as a witness in the above case at: Date and Time: July 14, 2001 at 8:00 a.m. Courtroom: 301 at Nesbett Courthouse, 825 W 4th Ave., Anchorage (SEAL) Date Clerk of Court Subpoena issued at request of This subpoena may not be used to order a Jane Austen witness to produce documents, nor may it be Attorney for no attorney used to require a witness to appear for Address 1216 Hamphire St., Anchorage 99501 deposition. Telephone 264-8229 If you have any questions, contact the person named above. RETURN I certify that on the date stated below, I served this subpoena on the person to whom it is addressed, , in , Alaska. I left a copy of the subpoena with the person named and also tendered mileage and witness fees for one day's court attendance. Date and Time of Service Signature Service Fees: Service $ Print or Type Name Mileage $ TOTAL $ Title If served by other than a peace officer, this return must be notarized. Subscribed and sworn to or affirmed before me at , Alaska on . (SEAL) Clerk of Court, Notary Public or other person authorized to administer oaths. My commission expires CIV-111 (8/96)(st.3) Civil Rule 45 SUBPOENA TO APPEAR Dist. Ct. Civ. R. 11(f) American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com CIV-109 (9/17)(duplex)(no hole punch) 5 How to Subpoena a Witness IN THE DISTRICT/SUPERIOR COURT FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA AT Anchorage ) Nicholas vander Poele ) ) Plaintiff(s), ) vs. ) ) ) Gelis van Borselen ) ) CASE NO. 3AN-01-456CI Defendant(s). ) ) SUBPOENA TO APPEAR & PRODUCE To: Simon de St. Pol Address: 44 Kilmirren Ave., Anchorage, Alaska 99503 You are commanded to appear in court to testify as a witness in the above case at: Date and Time: August 6, 2001 at 1:00 pm Courtroom: 401 at 825 W 4th Ave., Anchorage , Alaska. You are ordered to bring with you the cargo manifest of the ship Ark Royal on her last voyage. (SEAL) Date Deputy Clerk Subpoena issued at request of This subpoena must be filled in before being Dorothy Dunnett issued and may not be used to require a Attorney for Nicholas vander Poele witness to appear for a deposition. Address: 52 Edinburgh St., Anchorage Telephone: 264-8229 If you have any questions, contact the person named above. RETURN I certify that on the date stated below, I served this subpoena on the person to whom it is addressed, , in , Alaska. I left a copy of the subpoena with the person named and also tendered mileage and witness fees required by court rule. Dat