This stuff only happens to me!! Subpoea to testify for state in a criminal case on 1st day

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

Back in the summer... I saw something... happen.. in my neighborhood. I had a brief conversation with the police, and thought nothing more of it!! Imagine my surprise when I was served with a subpoena to appear in court as a witness for the state.... on what is supposed to be my 1st day of orientation!! If I miss this orientation it will be another month before there is another class.

I have a call into the DA's office to see if there is an alternative. It's in less than 2 weeks. I am about to go for my employment physical. I need to stop in at HR to resolve a direct deposit matter. I guess I need to tell HR?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Call the DA and tell them you cannot make it on that day, they are usually very understanding and flexible!

Annie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Tell HR ASAP, and give them a copy of the subpoena; that should be all they need.

Hope it goes well. Sounds kind of exciting, actually.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Behavioral Health.
Call the DA and tell them you cannot make it on that day, they are usually very understanding and flexible!

Annie

Agreed. In my state they'd rather work with you than fight with you. Your mileage may vary, but give it a shot.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
Agreed. In my state they'd rather work with you than fight with you. Your mileage may vary, but give it a shot.

Exactly! If they are not understanding my only answer up on the stand will be "I do not recall"!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
Exactly! If they are not understanding my only answer up on the stand will be "I do not recall"!

Best not to lie on the stand especially if a real bad guy might get off because of it. Remember that all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men/women to do nothing. You also run the risk of being treated as a hostile witness. I have two lawyers in the family - you might call the DA and see if you can come in and be deposed without going to trial! Keep answers short and to the point. IF you have a subpoena you are required to appear or be held in contempt of court! Your employer will know this or should. It's not like you volunteered to testify. Just show the subpoena to your HR department then go take care of business.

Hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

The update.. still no word from the DA's office. I took the subpoena to HR and they were fine with it. Said if I have to miss the first day I will just have to make it up the next orientation class. I would still much prefer to get out of going to trial that day and take my class as I am supposed to. Now, to pass the physical. Apparently checking yes to the box stating I have osteoarthritis in my back has drawn some raised eyebrows. Got sent for x rays

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.
Best not to lie on the stand especially if a real bad guy might get off because of it. Remember that all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men/women to do nothing. You also run the risk of being treated as a hostile witness. I have two lawyers in the family - you might call the DA and see if you can come in and be deposed without going to trial! Keep answers short and to the point. IF you have a subpoena you are required to appear or be held in contempt of court! Your employer will know this or should. It's not like you volunteered to testify. Just show the subpoena to your HR department then go take care of business.

Hppy

RELAX, I was joking!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been in EMS for close to 18 years, trust me I know all about court, and BTW I am not the OP!!

Annie

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They would most likely move the case to a time because this is a new job start for you and that would absolutely qualify as a hardship. I would hold off on telling HR until you talk to the DA first. You don't want them knowing about any drama surrounding you...even though this is CLEARLY not your fault. I'm very private like that.

If you can get the date moved...then go from there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.
They would most likely move the case to a time because this is a new job start for you and that would absolutely qualify as a hardship. I would hold off on telling HR until you talk to the DA first. You don't want them knowing about any drama surrounding you...even though this is CLEARLY not your fault. I'm very private like that.

If you can get the date moved...then go from there.

I wondered the same thing about HR knowing I had some drama... but, the DA's office still hasn't returned my call... and I was already at the hospital and dressed up (was in for physical) so I decided I might as well take them a copy of the subpoena. Apparently, I am not the first person to have to miss the first day of orientation. They said if that happens I can just make up that day the next month. I would still much prefer doing my orientation as scheduled. I called the DA day before yesterday and no reply. Will try again today.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Before you started down the nursing school path I was/am a cop. For 13 years. Call and ask if you can be put on telephone standby and tell them how much lead time you would need. Most DAs are understanding. They can usually shuffle the schedule to get you in on a better day. Ive gotten hundreds of subpoenas. Always on standby and usually never appear.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment