Oregon Statutes 136.595 – How subpoena is served; proof of service; service on law enforcement agency
(1) Except as provided in ORS § 136.447 and 136.583 and subsection (2) of this section, a subpoena is served by delivering a copy to the witness personally. If the witness is under 14 years of age, the subpoena may be served by delivering a copy to the witness or to the witness’s parent, guardian or guardian ad litem. Proof of the service is made in the same manner as in the service of a summons.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 136.595
- Continuance: Putting off of a hearing ot trial until a later time.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(2)(a) Every law enforcement agency shall designate an individual or individuals upon whom service of subpoena may be made. At least one of the designated individuals shall be available during normal business hours. In the absence of the designated individuals, service of subpoena pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subsection may be made upon the officer in charge of the law enforcement agency.
(b) If a peace officer’s attendance at trial is required as a result of employment as a peace officer, a subpoena may be served on such officer by delivering a copy personally to the officer or to one of the individuals designated by the agency that employs the officer. A subpoena may be served by delivery to one of the individuals designated by the agency that employs the officer only if the subpoena is delivered at least 10 days before the date the officer’s attendance is required, the officer is currently employed as a peace officer by the agency, and the officer is present within the state at the time of service.
(c) When a subpoena has been served as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, the law enforcement agency shall make a good faith effort to actually notify the officer whose attendance is sought of the date, time and location of the court appearance. If the officer cannot be notified, the law enforcement agency shall contact the court and a continuance may be granted to allow the officer to be personally served.
(d) As used in this subsection, ‘law enforcement agency’ means the Oregon State Police, a county sheriff’s department, a municipal police department, a police department established by a university under ORS § 352.121 or 353.125 or, if the witness whose attendance at trial is required is an authorized tribal police officer as defined in ORS § 181A.940, a tribal government as defined in ORS § 181A.940.
(3) When a subpoena has been served as provided in ORS § 136.583 or subsection (1) or (2) of this section and, subsequent to service, the date on, or the time at, which the person subpoenaed is to appear has changed, a new subpoena is not required to be served if:
(a) The subpoena is continued orally in open court in the presence of the person subpoenaed; or
(b) The party who issued the original subpoena notifies the person subpoenaed of the change by first class mail and by:
(A) Certified or registered mail, return receipt requested; or
(B) Express mail. [Formerly 139.100; 1977 c.789 § 1; 1995 c.196 § 3; 2005 c.298 § 1; 2007 c.158 § 1; 2009 c.364 § 2; 2009 c.617 § 3; 2011 c.644 20,65,72; 2013 c.180 § 16,17; 2015 c.174 § 8]