Court Subpoena, do I have to go? advice?

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Old 11-30-2005, 11:37 AM
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Default Court Subpoena, do I have to go? advice?

I got this in the mail (below), it came first class, so I didn't have to sign, nobody served me, just regular old mail, I haven't called yet, I am supposed to be out of town on the day it said, any ideas on how I can get out of it. (NOTE: I deleted my info and the case no, just thought I should.) And advice would be great, all I need is a officer showing up at my work arresting me because I didn't show and I am the witness, not the charged!

Old 11-30-2005, 11:52 AM
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IMO, the first thing you should do is hire an attorney. He can get it reset to another time, not to mention represent you and look out for your best interests. If you don't want to hire an attorney I would call the court and tell them you are not available on the scheduled date. I think you can reset it once. Good luck.
Old 11-30-2005, 12:25 PM
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Call the DA and ask him what to do. Unless the person being charged has done this before, they will deal it down and you won't have to show. I've done this like 10+ times. Definately call the DA though.
Old 11-30-2005, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Ben R
Call the DA and ask him what to do. Unless the person being charged has done this before, they will deal it down and you won't have to show. I've done this like 10+ times. Definately call the DA though.


rebel.

i love you.
Old 11-30-2005, 12:50 PM
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Just say you never got it, and enjoy your trip.
Old 11-30-2005, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by obseSSed


rebel.

i love you.
I'm just gangstar like that.

Hollar at me later.
Old 11-30-2005, 01:05 PM
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How can they prove that you ever recieved the subpoena.

They mail hundreds and hundreds of those almost every week to all harrris county residents. Too many to enforce the law on not showing up.
Old 11-30-2005, 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RGVWS6
Just say you never got it, and enjoy your trip.


Wrong. Federal law says something about "the mail is considered delivered unless it is returned to sender". Or something of that nature.
Old 11-30-2005, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Josh McGrath
Wrong. Federal law says something about "the mail is considered delivered unless it is returned to sender". Or something of that nature.

Yada Yada, but its highly unlikely that they ever enforce that. Especially in Harris County or other large counties.
Old 11-30-2005, 02:11 PM
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Unless the case is very important to somebody, they won't arrest you for not showing. There is a 90% chance the case will be dealt down and you won't have to go. Just call the DA.
Old 11-30-2005, 02:41 PM
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i called the DA, he said it looks like the case will be reset... and to keep my phone on... will see
Old 11-30-2005, 02:58 PM
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If it's anything like Illinois.. If you don't show, they will eventually put a warrant out for your arrest!! Get an attorney and have him stir you in the right direction. You need one to represent you anyway. You surely don't want a public defender to represent you!!!! Hope this helps!!!
Old 11-30-2005, 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Honboy1
If it's anything like Illinois.. If you don't show, they will eventually put a warrant out for your arrest!! Get an attorney and have him stir you in the right direction. You need one to represent you anyway. You surely don't want a public defender to represent you!!!! Hope this helps!!!
I am not the one that got arrested, I saw a fight happen, I am just a witness...
Old 11-30-2005, 06:35 PM
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since they don't send it by certified mail there is no proof that you recieved it and it could have been lost in the mail. I live in Harris county and a few weeks ago my dad just forgot to go and nobody has said a thing.

i guess this is kinda usless now cuz you called them but o well.
Old 11-30-2005, 07:20 PM
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since they don't send it by certified mail there is no proof that you recieved it and it could have been lost in the mail. I live in Harris county and a few weeks ago my dad just forgot to go and nobody has said a thing.

i guess this is kinda usless now cuz you called them but o well.
That is exactly right if it is not Certified they can't hold you liable for anything etc... Guess Ben fucked you on that one way to go Ben LOL! Another thing are you a witness or the charged?
Old 11-30-2005, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by orion565
..... all I need is a officer showing up at my work arresting me because I didn't show and I am the witness, not the charged!

First post in the thread

edit.....i think it'd be better to call than not. the law typically errs on the side of "you probably received it". better safe than sorry. at least with a subpoena. tickets are another story

Last edited by cyphur_traq; 11-30-2005 at 07:47 PM.
Old 11-30-2005, 09:02 PM
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I guess I just didn't register what I read LOL! Thanks.
Old 11-30-2005, 10:47 PM
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Call the DA tell them you are sorry but you will be out of town... if they really want you they will reschedule. If he threatens you tell him that you will appear if hes an *** with a sudden case of the "I dont recall what your talking about"




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