What to do if…
you receive a subpoena or formal demand to testify and the deadline is soon

What to do now

1. Capture the basics: take photos or scans of every page, including envelopes and attachments, and write down the return date, time, location, case name, case number, issuing court or agency, and the name of any lawyer listed.
2. Identify what it commands: mark whether it asks you to testify, appear for a deposition, attend court, attend a grand jury, produce documents, provide electronic records, permit inspection, or do more than one of these.
3. Verify it independently: use an official court, agency, or state bar website to find contact details yourself. Ask the clerk, agency, or lawyer’s office how to verify the case, docket, issuing authority, and appearance or production details. Do not rely only on contact details printed in a suspicious message.
4. Get legal help quickly: if you are only a third-party witness or records holder, ask for help about scope, burden, objections, privilege, and timing. If you might be a suspect, target, employee under investigation, or grand jury witness, contact a criminal defense lawyer before any testimony, interview, or informal explanation.
5. Preserve information now: pause auto-delete where you can, stop routine cleanups, keep originals intact, and make a simple list of where possibly relevant materials are stored, such as email, phone, cloud drive, work account, paper file, or messaging app.
6. Protect close federal civil document deadlines: if the subpoena is in a federal civil case and asks for documents, electronically stored information, tangible things, or inspection, written objections are generally due before the earlier of the compliance time or 14 days after service. Get legal advice immediately if the date is close.
7. If you cannot comply on the scheduled date, ask promptly and in writing for rescheduling or an extension. Ask what procedure is required to object, quash, modify, or otherwise adjust the subpoena, but do not treat the request as permission to miss the date unless you receive clear confirmation.
8. If documents or records are requested, make an inventory only: “what was requested” and “where it may be.” Do not decide what to withhold, produce, redact, or describe as privileged until you have legal guidance.