Witness Instructions

Instrucciones en Español

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR WITNESSES

 

IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR SUBPOENA

You must verify receipt of your subpoena by: (1) Check-in online at: SUBPOENA CHECK-IN FORM (2) Call the witness coordinator at (831) 454-2321 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to verify receipt of the subpoena immediately. If you are outside of Santa Cruz County, you may call collect.

ON THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED COURT APPEARANCE

You Must Follow These Instructions:

After 5:00 p.m. of the night before your scheduled court appearance, you must call (831) 454-2321 to hear a recorded message OR you can check our Website: http://dasubinfo.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ for updated subpoena information.

Only cases that have been canceled will be mentioned on the recording.

If your case is mentioned, your subpoena has been canceled for the entire period of time shown on the subpoena, and you do NOT have to appear.

Cases may be canceled for any of several reasons, such as the entry of a guilty plea by the defendant, a dismissal by the court or the prosecution, or procedural or legal problems.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The case in which you will testify is a criminal matter. The name of the Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case is shown on the subpoena. A public defender or private attorney will represent the defendant's interest. Witnesses are often contacted by the public defender, private attorney, or investigator working for the defendant. You may speak with the defense if you wish; however, you are under no legal obligation to discuss the case with any of these individuals. If you choose to speak to the defense, you may request that an Assistant District Attorney or representative be present.