Criminal Law
Summons
A court order directing a person to appear before it on a specified date, either as an accused, witness, or party to a case.
A summons is a formal, less coercive alternative to a warrant — it simply requires the person named to show up in court at the stated time, without any accompanying arrest or detention. It can be issued to an accused in less serious matters, or to a witness whose testimony or documents are needed.
Ignoring a summons without valid reason can lead to further consequences, including the court eventually issuing a warrant to secure the person's presence.
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