Subpoena, << suh PEE nuh, >> also spelled subpena, is a written legal order to appear as a witness and give testimony in court. The name comes from two Latin words, sub, which means under, and poena, which means penalty. A person who receives a subpoena must obey it under penalty of being held in contempt of court (see Contempt ). The subpoena duces tecum (Latin for bring with you under penalty) requires a person to bring into court specified things, such as papers, books, financial records, or other documents. See also Witness .
