This form serves as one of the most commonly used official federal court forms in civil litigation. Issued under the authority of a United States district court, this legal subpoena compels a person or business to provide testimony and to produce relevant materials for a pending civil case. Legal professionals, including attorneys and paralegals, rely on this document to secure witness cooperation during the discovery phase of a lawsuit. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts maintains and distributes this form along with other standardized federal court forms.
This federal subpoena outlines all essential details for the witness appearance, including the exact time and location where the individual must present themselves. It also specifies any documents, electronically stored information, or physical objects the witness is required to bring for inspection, copying, testing, or sampling. The form includes designated fields for identifying the parties involved, the district court of record, and the civil action number.
Several provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern how this subpoena operates. Rule 45(c) sets geographic limits on where compliance can be required. Rule 45(d) establishes protections for individuals who receive the subpoena, including the right to object or move to quash. Rule 45(e) covers duties related to responding and producing information. Rule 45(g) addresses penalties for noncompliance, which may include contempt of court.
A clerk of court or an attorney authorized to practice in the issuing district court can sign and issue this official legal document. The party requesting testimony is responsible for serving the subpoena on the witness and covering reasonable attendance and travel fees. Legal practitioners working with other federal court forms may also need the related Subpoena Duces Tecum when only document production is required without oral testimony.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | AO 88A - Subpoena to Testify at a Deposition in a Civil Action |
| Form Length | 3 pages |
| Issuing Authority | United States District Court |
| Governing Rules | Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules 45(c), 45(d), 45(e), 45(g) |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 45 sec |
| Related Forms | AO 88B (Subpoena to Produce Documents), AO 440 (Summons in a Civil Action) |
| Other names | federal subpoena deposition, federal form ao 88a, ao 88a, federal subpoena form ao 88a |