Subpoena and Legal advice

[Cpurple395]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Illinois


From what I have been told I am going to be issued a subpoena for a case that I know a little bit about, however not the full details. The case involves an on-going dispute between two residents at my university and had gotten out of control and is going to court. Now, I do no want to go and testify because most the what this case is based on is heresay, and both parties I have had problems with in the past (the one being sued is an ex-friend of mine and the other is the ex-roomate of the one being sure - both of which caused me grief with thier petty behavior) and I do not care to be a part of this case because 1. I don'tcare, and 2. I'm getting nohting out of this case. The case is extremely petty and is mostly he said/she said stuff that has gotten out of hand and the two parties involved just cannot let past events stay in the past. Persoanlly I believe I will be a bad witness becasue I, putting this nicely, hate both parties involved and really could care less about this dispute.


Now my issue is with this supposed subpoena I am going to be issued within the next few days. I was told by one of the parties I was getting one and that they needed my home address. Can I refuse this subpeona? Do I have to show up on the court date? Can I take the 5th Amendment on the stand? What happens if I do not show up? Do I need to hire a lawyer? And can I write a written deposition instead of testifying in court?


Thanks for your time,

Caroline

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Illinois


From what I have been told I am going to be issued a subpoena for a case that I know a little bit about, however not the full details. The case involves an on-going dispute between two residents at my university and had gotten out of control and is going to court. Now, I do no want to go and testify because most the what this case is based on is heresay, and both parties I have had problems with in the past (the one being sued is an ex-friend of mine and the other is the ex-roomate of the one being sure - both of which caused me grief with thier petty behavior) and I do not care to be a part of this case because 1. I don'tcare, and 2. I'm getting nohting out of this case. The case is extremely petty and is mostly he said/she said stuff that has gotten out of hand and the two parties involved just cannot let past events stay in the past. Persoanlly I believe I will be a bad witness becasue I, putting this nicely, hate both parties involved and really could care less about this dispute.


Now my issue is with this supposed subpoena I am going to be issued within the next few days. I was told by one of the parties I was getting one and that they needed my home address. Can I refuse this subpeona? Do I have to show up on the court date? Can I take the 5th Amendment on the stand? What happens if I do not show up? Do I need to hire a lawyer? And can I write a written deposition instead of testifying in court?


Thanks for your time,

Caroline

Q: Can I refuse this subpeona?

A: No.


Q: Do I have to show up on the court date?

A: Yes.


Q: Can I take the 5th Amendment on the stand?

A: You cannot take the fifth amendment on the stand unless you are guilty of a crime and do not want to make incriminating statements about that crime.


Q: What happens if I do not show up?

A: You may be charged with contempt of court.


Q: Do I need to hire a lawyer?

A: You can always hire an attorney if you wish.


Q: And can I write a written deposition instead of testifying in court?

A: Yes, if all parties agree.