If I received a subpoena to appear at a lawyer’s office for a deposition regarding my debt, do I have to go?
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If I received a subpoena to appear at a lawyer’s office for a deposition regarding my debt, do I have to go?
It says on the subpoena that I could be held in contempt of court, but I thought that since it’s a civil case that there isn’t really anything that they can do to me.
Asked on November 29, 2010 under Bankruptcy Law, Florida
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You can't just ignore this. If a subpoena is issued it compels the person served to comply with whatever is requested in the subpoena. Therefore if a person is compelled to appear and testify in court or other legal proceeding, they are under a legal obligation to do so. Failure to comply with a subpoena is a criminal matter for which there are penalties, including fines and jail time. It makes no difference that the subpoena was issued in regard to as civil suit.
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