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Tips For Young Lawyers

Answering the Call: Responding to a Texas Subpoena (Civil and Criminal)
By: Baylor Wortham

You are sitting in your office one afternoon when you hear a knock at the door. You look up to see a former client standing in your doorway with a piece of paper and a nervous expression on their face. The client says, “I’ve just received this subpoena and I don’t know what to do!” “What are my options?” “What will happen to me if I don’t respond?” Many young Texas civil and criminal lawyers often find themselves facing these questions, but are unable to provide guidance because they are generally unfamiliar with the opposing criminal/civil side of Texas law. In response to this issue, the TYLA Member Services Committee is pleased to announce its most recent resource for young lawyers: “ANSWERING THE CALL: RESPONDING TO A TEXAS CIVIL SUBPOENA” and “ANSWERING THE CALL: RESPONDING TO A TEXAS CRIMINAL SUBPOENA.”

Answering the Call consists of two companion pamphlets, each covering the basics of Texas civil and criminal subpoena practice. The publication is targeted as an overview guide for young lawyers on how to properly respond to a subpoena and also discusses the various rights and remedies available to clients, such as reimbursement for reasonable expenses and raising objections or asserting a privilege. The goal is to aid attorneys in providing clear and concise advice to clients on the obligations and proper responses to Texas subpoenas. These free pamphlets are available online at TYLA.org under the “Resources” tab for “Lawyers.” These publications are also expected to be in print in the near future.