How to Subpoena a Witness in City Court

Posted By Cliff Tuttle | February 17, 2011

No. 581

My source in the Department of Court Records – Criminal Division (pronounced Clerk of Courts) says that lots of lawyers get subpoenas from that office for proceedings in City Court.  They aren’t enforceable, of course, but it fools employers.

Well, I’m here to tell you that you can easily get a subpoena to compel attendance a City Court case by going to the window for the appropriate court (Traffic, Non-traffic, Housing) with the necessary information (Case name, number, caption, name and address of witness, date, time).  The clerk will prepare it and you serve it.  But be prepared to wait a bit.

If you need a subpoena at a District Magistrate’s Office, go to the office and ask them to prepare one.  You will have to serve it, however.

CLT

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CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

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