Leagle Eagel. Wrote:
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> legal question Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Theoretically, if I were to be subpoenaed, would
> I
> > have the option of telling the courts, thanks
> but
> > no thanks? you know, since it's a civil case
> and
> > whatnot.
>
> Nope. A subpoena is a court order, and failing to
> comply with a court order is contempt of court,
> which can lead to fines or even jail time,
> depending on how grumpy the judge is that day.
>
> What the judge will likely do is issue a bench
> warrant, so the next time you're pulled over by
> the cops and they run your license, instead of
> just getting a ticket and going on your merry way,
> they will instead cart you off to the ADC where
> you get to sit in the world's worst waiting room
> for a few hours or days until you can go before
> the judge.
>
> Further, you're compelled to tell the truth if the
> subpoena is for a deposition. Lying during a
> deposition is the same as lying during a trial or
> other hearing; it's perjury, which is a Class 5
> felony in the Commonwealth.
>
> See
>
http://litigation.findlaw.com/going-to-court/what-
> is-a-subpoena.html and
>
https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+c
> od+18.2-434
Thank you for the very informative response my good sir.
I guess what I was getting at was to what extent can subpoenas be served or given out, eg if the accusing party had enough money, could half this site end up being called into court over a petty personal dispute?
Is there any sort of limiting factor to a lawyers ability to get court orders?
This is all rather interesting to me, it seems like you can really wreak havoc on peoples lives in this sort of case