Court Subpoenas

5. Subpoena - As stated by the textbook, a subpoena is "a written order issued by a judicial officer or grand jury requiring an individual to appear in court and to give testimony or to bring material to be used as evidence. Some subpoenas mandate that book, papers, and other items be surrendered to the court" (Schmalleger 301). A court, Grand Jury, legislative body, or Administrative Agency uses a subpoena to compel an individual to appear before it at a specific time to give testimony. An individual who receives a subpoena but fails to appear may be charged with contempt of court and subjected to civil or criminal penalties. In addition, a person who has been served with a subpoena and has failed to appear may be brought to the proceedings

These groups fulfill many functions, and all of their roles are interdependent. These groups have frequent and ongoing relationships in which they interact in a wide variety of manners and settings. For example, judges fulfill roles such as issuing warrants; making probably cause determinations; granting or denying bail; presiding over hearing; ruling on motions; and presiding over trials. Prosecuting attorneys represent the state in criminal cases. Defense attorneys, who may be privately retained or appointed, ensure that the defendant's rights are protected and defend their client throughout criminal proceedings. Other work groups actors include law clerks, court clerks and administrators, jurors, witnesses, police officers, and the news media. The National Criminal Justice Reference Service states, "The courtroom workgroup includes judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, clerks, bailiffs, and to a limited extent, defendants. The study concludes that the interactions of these persons in common tasks determines the outcome of criminal cases" (NCJRS.gov). The defense attorney's job or role is protect the innocent from false conviction and to serve to protect the constitutional rights of all defendants. The Prosecutor's role is to serve as a government official whose job is to bring the charges against the Defendant. The judge's role is serving a court official who is elected or appointed by the state for the purpose of reviewing and relieving the dispute presented through the arguments of Prosecution and Defense during a criminal trial. The Jury's role is to act as the decision-makers who determine whether or not there is enough evidence to actually press charges against a person or indict them. Furthermore, the Judge, Jury, Defense, and Prosecution each serve an important role in the process of doing justice. Utilized, properly the Courtroom Work Groups becomes a very effective and efficient tool for