What happens if a subpoena is ignored

In other words, Congress can seek a federal court's civil judgment saying the person is legally obligated to comply with the subpoena. During the Trump presidency, the House tried this approach many times, but the court process moved so slowly it took months or even years for standoffs to resolve. Who has the panel subpoenaed so far? Patel has acknowledged he's received the committee's subpoena and said he would "continue to tell the truth to the American people about the events of January 6th.

More recently, the panel issued subpoenas to 11 individuals who were affiliated with Women for America First, the organization that held the permit for the "Stop the Steal" rally on January 6 that served as a prelude to the Capitol riot. What is Trump saying? While Trump threatened more than a month ago to assert executive privilege to block the committee's earlier request for records, he hasn't yet stepped up as a shield.

And he didn't try to stand in the way of former DOJ top brass testifying this summer about his push to spread election fraud lies. What is Biden saying? A whirlwind of thoughts floods your mind. Can you ignore it and still go on your trip? What happens if you ignore a subpoena? First off — what is a subpoena? A subpoena, or court summons as it is sometimes called, is a legal document issued by a judge that orders the recipient to comply with a very specific request from the court.

It could be a demand to present certain items or documents. It could be a request for your direct participation in an ongoing case as a witness. In other instances, it could be issued to compel you to allow the police to inspect your premises.

Either way, when a court summons you, you have no choice but to oblige. A subpoena is much more than a small inconvenience. So, if you were wondering what happens if you miss a court date? You risk facing punishment for ignoring the summons. You might be in contempt of court, which is punishable by jail time, a fine, or both. At the very least, you need to accept the subpoena and formally challenge its terms by informing the court about your reservations. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.

Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Political Issues. Can You Ignore a Subpoena? On Sept. Once the contempt citation is received, any prosecution lies within the control of the executive branch. Often, citing executive privilege or other protections, Justice simply declines to prosecute.

This process of civil enforcement relies on the help of the courts to enforce congressional demands. It moves really slowly," Madonna says. They're negotiating with the executive branch and usually get whatever it is they're looking for through that.

The inherent contempt power is a constitutionally based authority given to each house to unilaterally arrest and detain an individual found to be 'obstruct[ing] the performance of the duties of the legislature. Cite This! Try Our Crossword Puzzle! What Is the Missing Number? Try Our Sudoku Puzzles! More Awesome Stuff.