You can find yourself appearing before a judge for a variety of reasons. Many people do not understand what is a court summons, or what it means.
Some people think they can ignore their documents, while others violate them altogether. Unfortunately, when you aren’t sure what to do, you can make mistakes with dire consequences. When you already feel overwhelmed by the process, adding more confusion doesn’t help. Thankfully, Gibson Bail Bonds serves Pennsylvania 24 hours each day with experienced local agents.
After reading this helpful post, contact your legal professional for the final say. Then, contact us whenever you need bail bond services day or night.
What is a Court Summons?
In short, a summons is a legal declaration requiring you to appear before a judge. Some people confuse these with other notices, as well as their punishments. Unfortunately, that can mean a variety of different infractions, such as:
- Bench Warrant
- Jail Sentence
- Court Fines
- Suspended License
- Changed Release Conditions
- Bond Revocation
- Failure to Appear
- Contempt of Court
- And others
Some have the attitude that missing jury duty is no big deal. Because that mentality has caused a strain on many court systems, it’s not overlooked anymore. When you receive a notice in the mail, you must abide by its instructions. Otherwise, it could be you who ends up in handcuffs.
Is a Court Summons a Subpoena?
One similar document that’s confused for a summons is a subpoena. After all, both are notifications that they must arrive for court. Generally speaking, the key difference comes down to when the notice is sent. A summons often is used to choose a jury, so it applies before the trial.
Once the case is underway, a witness may receive a subpoena to potentially be put on the stand for questioning. Both defenses will then take turns asking questions that apply to the situation.
Depending on the nature of the case, you could be subpoenaed for many reasons. Such examples of common subpoena use includes situations like:
- Blood Testing
You could be summoned for witness testimony
- Witness Testimony
- DNA Testing
- Digital Files
- Medical Bills
- Insurance Payments
- Tax Documents
- Images and Video Clips
- Graphs and Charts
- Employment Documentation
- Field Expertise
- Professional Opinion
- And other reasons
What is “Getting Served”?
On a basketball court, getting served is a lot less severe than legal settings. Instead, the legal term refers to the process of being handed your documentation, confirming its delivery.
There are strict guidelines concerning who can serve papers and how. If not done correctly, it could cause lots of problems, even the case being dismissed. Anyone who has seen movies involving a court summons has briefly watched the process.
Those that can serve legal documents to others can include:
- Some Law Enforcement Officers
- Private Process Servers
- Service by Disinterested Adult
- Place of Residence
- Certified Mail
- Substituted Service
- Civil Case Summons
- And other reasons
When in doubt, refer to a legal professional to explain what is required. Otherwise, you may unknowingly put yourself into a heap of trouble with the judge.
What is a Court Summons’ Frequency?
Some people find themselves worried about how often they’re called for jury duty. First, the bad news; there is no limitation on how frequently you can be summoned. Most people that do receive summons likely won’t get it again for at least a year. If the trial goes on for three days or more, it’s typically three years.
Too many residents try to avoid serving as a jury member. They don’t realize, however, that if you do it once, you’re good for a while. Don’t ignore your summons, and be a responsible neighbor to others. The more that respond, the smoother the process is as a whole.
Did you fail to appear to court as requested? Contact Gibson Bail Bonds for 24-hour agents throughout the Pennsylvania community.
