If you have a calendar conflict, you should contact the deputy district attorney assigned to the case at least three days before the appearance date and explain your conflict. The name and phone number of the assigned attorney is not necessarily the name on your subpoena. Call the telephone number on the subpoena, and give the case name and number to the receptionist. Your call will be routed either to the assigned attorney, or the Supervising Deputy District Attorney.

Do not ignore the subpoena. A subpoena is a court order. Willful failure to appear as ordered is punishable as contempt, and may constitute a crime. If you fail to appear without receiving prior permission from the Deputy District Attorney, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

The defendant in a criminal case can also compel attendance of witnesses through a subpoena. A subpoena from the defense is also a court order, and willful failure to appear as ordered is also punishable as contempt, and may constitute a crime. You should contact the defense attorney regarding any questions about appearing in court.

Yes. If you have received a subpoena from both the prosecution and the defense, you must appear unless both sides release you from the subpoenas.

Contact the attorney handling the case. Sometimes a witness may be placed "on call," if he or she is able to appear in court within 30 minutes to an hour of a telephone call telling them to come to court. Such arrangements must be made no later than the day before the date stated on the subpoena.