California · Penal Code

PEN §1327: A subpoena authorized by Section 1326 shall be substantially in the following form: The people of the State of California to A.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute prescribes the required form and content of a subpoena in California criminal proceedings, including who may issue it and how to direct a witness to appear or produce documents.

Read the full statutory text
A subpoena authorized by Section 1326 shall be substantially in the following form: The people of the State of California to A. B.: You are commanded to appear before C. D., a judge of the ____ Court of ____ County, at (naming the place), on (stating the day and hour), as a witness in a criminal action prosecuted by the people of the State of California against E. F. Given under my hand this ____ day of ____, A.D. 19____. G. H., Judge of the ____ Court (or “J. K., District Attorney,” or “J. K., District Attorney Investigator,” or “D. E., Public Defender,” or “D. E., Public Defender Investigator,” or “F. G., Defense Counsel,” or “By order of the court, L. M., Clerk,” or as the case may be). If books, papers, or documents are required, a direction to the following effect must be contained in the subpoena: “And you are required, also, to bring with you the following” (describing intelligibly the books, papers, or documents required).

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.