Which term refers to an order to appear in court and testify?

Which term refers to an order to appear in court and testify?

• A. Subpoena ad testificandum
• B. Subpoena Duces Tecum
• C. Writ of mandamus
• D. Summons to appear in court

Answer: (A)

The essential idea is that there are specific Latin terms used to describe different court orders. When the order is to appear in court and provide testimony, the precise term is the subpoena ad testificandum. The phrase ad testificandum means “to testify,” so this subpoena is the command directing a person to attend and give sworn testimony in court. Subpoena duces tecum, in contrast, asks the person to bring and produce documents or tangible evidence, rather than to testify. A writ of mandamus is a separate remedy that compels a public official to perform a duty, not a request to testify in court. A summons to appear in court serves to notify someone to show up for a case, but it does not specifically require testimony; the formal requirement to testify is captured by the subpoena ad testificandum.

The essential idea is that there are specific Latin terms used to describe different court orders. When the order is to appear in court and provide testimony, the precise term is the subpoena ad testificandum. The phrase ad testificandum means “to testify,” so this subpoena is the command directing a person to attend and give sworn testimony in court.

Subpoena duces tecum, in contrast, asks the person to bring and produce documents or tangible evidence, rather than to testify. A writ of mandamus is a separate remedy that compels a public official to perform a duty, not a request to testify in court. A summons to appear in court serves to notify someone to show up for a case, but it does not specifically require testimony; the formal requirement to testify is captured by the subpoena ad testificandum.