Are subpoenas expensive?
Asked by: Emely Emard | Last update: August 26, 2025Score: 5/5 (51 votes)
On average, the cost to subpoena someone may fall between $50 to $300. The exact amount depends on various factors, such as the location of the intended recipient, how complex the case is, and how quickly you need the subpoena served.
Does it cost money to subpoena bank records?
For a fee of about $50, you can hire a professional process server to serve your subpoena. Identify the person at the bank who should receive the subpoena. The subpoena should be served on the person at the bank who oversees the department that has the documents.
Does it cost money to subpoena phone records?
Based on these factors, the costs of complying with a phone records subpoena could range from: $25 – $200 for a basic subscriber information request covering a short period. $500 – $3,000+ for detailed call logs, text transcripts, and other records over an extended period, especially if third-parties are involved.
How much are federal subpoena fees?
The attendance fee for Federal subpoenas is governed by and described in 28 USC 1821. Witness fees are $40.00 per day and $. 65½ per mile, round trip from the witness' residence to where they must appear.
Who pays for subpoena documents?
§ 2554.29 Who pays the costs for a subpoena? The party requesting a subpoena shall pay the cost of the fees and mileage of any witness subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court.
Agency Subpoenas & Record Requirements - Quick Explainer
Do I need a lawyer for a subpoena?
The first question you may have when receiving a subpoena is: do I need a lawyer to respond to this? You are not obligated to hire a lawyer to respond to a subpoena on your behalf.
What are the three types of subpoenas?
Three common types of subpoena are – Subpoena duces tecum, deposition subpoena, and witness subpoena.
What is a subpoena charge?
A subpoena is a writ that is issued by a government agency, typically a court, to compel the production of evidence (usually documents) or to compel a person's appearance to testify in a deposition.
How much is testimony fee?
The median testimony hourly fee for medical expert witnesses is $500/hour. The median testimony hourly fee for non-medical expert witnesses is $275/hour.
Can you bill for a subpoena?
Under Some State Rules, Requesting Party May Have to Cover Subpoena Costs. Although federal rules presume responding parties must pay costs incurred responding to subpoenas, some state rules shift the cost to the requesting party.
How to prepare for a subpoena?
You want to look like the professional you are, with nothing to distract from your sworn testimony. Refresh your memory. Before the hearing, review any reports or records you will be questioned about. If you sound like you don't know or you don't remember, it may make people question your testimony.
Can my personal cell phone be subpoenaed?
Phone records can be subpoenaed without notifying the owner in certain legal circumstances, primarily when the records hold key evidence for a case. Courts may issue a subpoena if the records are critical to uncovering the truth in criminal investigations, civil disputes, or other legal proceedings.
How to know if a subpoena is real?
A valid subpoena should include the following: The name of the court issuing the subpoena. The name, address, and contact details of the attorney who initiated the subpoena. The names of the parties involved.
How much does it cost to subpoena phone records?
Telecom providers usually have varying charges, a per request charge and additional costs for each phone record they provide. Some states limit the amount of the charges. So the cost can range from less than $100 to thousands of dollars.
Do banks have to respond to subpoenas?
When responding to subpoenas and other requests for information, financial services companies must ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws. This means withholding, redacting, or otherwise protecting customer information from disclosure to third parties where required by law.
What records can be subpoenaed?
- Bank Statements.
- Corporate Documents.
- Account statements.
- General Business records.
- Medical Records.
- Billing Records.
- Inventories.
- Client/Patient Files.
What is the $275 witness fee?
The amount of two hundred seventy-five dollars ($275), together with the subpoena, shall be tendered to the person accepting the subpoena for each day that the peace officer, firefighter, state employee, trial court employee, or specified county employee is required to remain in attendance pursuant to the subpoena.
Who pays for subpoena travel?
In a federal case, the party subpoenaing the testimony may be forced to pay the expenses as a condition of enforcement of the subpoena (or the subpoenaed party can quash).
How much do doctors get paid to testify in court?
On average, expert witness fees range from $300-$600/hr, with primary care physicians charging the least and specialists like PM&R, dermatologists, and urologists get paid the most. Most physician expert witnesses charge more than one type of fee, with their fees clearly laid out in their expert witness fee schedule.
Is subpoena expensive?
Witness Fees
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, a witness subpoenaed is entitled to a witness fee of $35 for each day's court appearance and a mileage fee of 20 cents per mile to cover their travel expenses.
How do I refuse a subpoena?
You remain obligated to respond to the subpoena unless you have a court order quashing or modifying the subpoena, Contact your legal counsel to assist with court filings. Again, be aware of response deadlines because missing deadlines may waive your ability to object to the subpoena.
How long do subpoenas last?
If it is a subpoena as distinguished from a case starting summons and complaint, a subpoena expires on its return date. But a summons is good for 90 days after the starting of the law suit and can be served alternatively to in hand service.
Can you beat a subpoena?
A person can challenge a subpoena if is it insufficiently specific, yet this will likely require a hearing and an attorney may be necessary. Burden: This is commonly used to quash subpoenas requesting documents because it may require that the party produce documents of a very high volume in a short amount of time.
What to expect when you are subpoenaed?
A “subpoena duces tecum” asks you to hand over documents or other evidence relevant to a legal proceeding. A deposition subpoena asks you to give in-person sworn testimony rather than providing documents. A “subpoena ad testificandum” (also called a witness subpoena) summons you to appear and testify in court.
Why do people serve subpoenas?
Subpoenas are how you can require witnesses or evidence at a hearing. Consider whether you need to have a subpoena issued to require witnesses to appear at the hearing or produce documents. A subpoena is an order requiring people to provide documents or testimony.