Attending Court

A subpoena is a court order. When you receive a subpoena you must go to court on the date and at the time shown on the subpoena. You may ask to be placed "on call," which means you do not have to appear in court at the time noted on the subpoena, but you agree to come to court within a specific amount of time after being contacted. Failure to appear could result in a warrant for your arrest. For more information regarding "on call" status, please contact the witness coordinator at the phone number on your subpoena or call the District Attorney's Bureau of Victim Services at (800) 380-3811.

Leave your home early enough to allow enough time for travel, traffic, parking, court security screening and elevators.

Everyone entering a courthouse must go through the court security screening. The following items are not allowed in courthouses: guns, knives, glass containers (such as juice bottles), metal utensils, scissors, nail clippers, metal knitting needles, weapons or any other sharp objects.

Do not wear shorts, tank tops, clothing that shows your stomach, beachwear, flip-flops or clothing with inappropriate words or signs. Do not wear buttons or carry signs having to do with the case without discussing it first with the deputy district attorney.

To make sure that nothing you do has a negative impact on the case:

• Never attempt to talk to or communicate with anyone who has a "Juror" badge.

• Do not talk about the case within hearing distance of a juror.

• Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices while in the courtroom.

• Leave drinks, food and gum outside the courtroom.

• Smoking is not permitted in any courthouse.

• While in the courtroom, never attempt to talk to or communicate with the accused person. 

• Wait until the jury exits before leaving the courtroom unless otherwise directed.

Intimidating or harassing a victim or witness is a crime. If there is an immediate threat, call 911. You may also call the law enforcement agency where the incident occurred. If you have concerns about your safety while in court, notify the Sheriff’s Department in the courthouse or the bailiff in the courtroom and the deputy district attorney or victim services representative.

Anyone contacting you about the case should clearly identify themselves and their role in the criminal justice system (such as, a representative of the District Attorney's Office, the law enforcement agency or the accused person). Be truthful whenever speaking to anyone about the case. Victims and witnesses have a right to refuse to talk to anyone, including the accused person, their attorney or anyone acting on their behalf. Victims and witnesses also can set reasonable limits on any conversation they have with anyone seeking to interview or obtain a statement from them, including the accused person or their representative.

It is best not to discuss the facts of the case with any other witnesses, even if they are friends or family members.

Every witness must take an oath to tell the truth. When any witness testifies, both sides will ask questions. Attorneys may ask about prior statements you made to police, statements by other witnesses, records they obtained or statements by you that appeared in the media or social media. The following are guidelines for testifying in court:

• Be truthful. Do not exaggerate your testimony.

• If you do not understand a question, ask that it be repeated or explained.

• Answer the question asked. Do not volunteer additional information.

• Do not guess.

• If an attorney objects to a question asked by another attorney, wait until the judge tells you whether to answer the question.

• Try to avoid distracting mannerisms such as yawning, nail-biting, laughing or facial expressions like eye-rolling.

It is against the law for an employer to fire or harass an employee who takes time off from work to go to court because of a subpoena. If there is an issue, please contact the District Attorney’s Bureau Victim Services at (800) 380-3811.

Witnesses who need American Sign Language, a TDD/TTY or who have mobility issues should advise the witness assistant at the contact number listed on the subpoena or the Bureau of Victim Services at (800) 380-3811.