Understanding Subpoenas

If and when the day comes when you are served a subpoena, will you know what to do first and what steps to take next? A dentist may receive a subpoena to either appear and provide testimony in court or to provide copies of patient records. How one should respond to a subpoena depends on the type of subpoena, the information being requested, and the place where the subpoena is returnable.

In the Fall issue of Dental Dateline, we offer guidance on these and other subpoena-related questions in great detail. The article covers:

• what a subpoena is, exactly;
• who may issue a subpoena;
• the information contained in a subpoena;
• how a subpoena should be served;
• witness fees;
• advance notice;
• confidentiality issues ;
• how you should respond to a subpoena;
• when a subpoena is not enough;
• motion to quash;
• common agency and criminal subpoenas ; and
• checklists for complying with subpoenas.

To read the article, “Understanding Subpoenas,” please click here (begins on page 2).