N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law Section 610.20
Securing attendance of witnesses by subpoena

  • when and by whom subpoena may be issued

1.

Any criminal court may issue a subpoena for the attendance of a witness in any criminal action or proceeding in such court.

2.

A district attorney, or other prosecutor where appropriate, as an officer of a criminal court in which he is conducting the prosecution of a criminal action or proceeding, may issue a subpoena of such court, subscribed by himself, for the attendance in such court or a grand jury thereof of any witness whom the people are entitled to call in such action or proceeding.

3.

An attorney for a defendant in a criminal action or proceeding, as an officer of a criminal court, may issue a subpoena of such court, subscribed by himself, for the attendance in such court of any witness whom the defendant is entitled to call in such action or proceeding. An attorney for a defendant may not issue a subpoena duces tecum of the court directed to any department, bureau or agency of the state or of a political subdivision thereof, or to any officer or representative thereof, unless the subpoena is indorsed by the court and provides at least three days for the production of the requested materials. In the case of an emergency, the court may by order dispense with the three-day production period.

4.

The showing required to sustain any subpoena under this section is that the testimony or evidence sought is reasonably likely to be relevant and material to the proceedings, and the subpoena is not overbroad or unreasonably burdensome.

Source: Section 610.20 — Securing attendance of witnesses by subpoena; when and by whom subpoena may be issued, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/CPL/610.­20 (updated Jan. 10, 2020; accessed Dec. 2, 2023).

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Accessed:
Dec. 2, 2023

Last modified:
Jan. 10, 2020

§ 610.20’s source at nysenate​.gov

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