how to write a motion to quash a subpoena duces tecum for attorney client privilege

by Dr. Arvilla Stark 3 min read

To file a Motion to Quash, send it directly to the judge who is hearing the case. (If you are not sure who that is, contact the clerk of the court where the case is being heard and request information about the name of the judge and the proper address to whom it should be mailed or emailed.)

Full Answer

What does quash subpoena duces tecum mean?

A subpoena duces tecum (or “SDT”) is a court order that requires a person to produce certain documents or pieces of evidence at a hearing or trial in a criminal case. Under California law, either a prosecutor or the defendant may request evidence or a witness by means of an SDT.

How do you respond to a subpoena duces tecum?

How to Respond to a Third-Party Subpoena for Documents
  1. Consider Engaging an Attorney. ...
  2. Businesses: Notify Anyone Else of Importance. ...
  3. Identify all individuals who have responsive documents. ...
  4. Instruct individuals on how to search for and collect documents. ...
  5. Comply with the subpoena and provide the requested documents.

What is a timely motion to quash?

A motion to quash is timely if made before the date specified in the subpoena for compliance. In considering a motion to quash, the trial court may hold a hearing and, as necessary, entertain any relevant testimony.

How do I file a motion to quash a subpoena in Virginia?

To file a Motion to Quash, send it directly to the judge who is hearing the case. (If you are not sure who that is, contact the clerk of the court where the case is being heard and request information about the name of the judge and the proper address to whom it should be mailed or emailed.)

What is the difference between subpoena and subpoena duces tecum?

A subpoena is an Order that is issued to require the attendance of a witness to testify at a particular time and place. A subpoena duces tecum is an Order that requires a witness to bring documents, books or other items under his, her or their control, that he she or they is bound by law to produce into evidence.

What is the purpose of a subpoena duces tecum?

A Subpoena Duces Tecum (meaning 'subpoena for production of evidence') is a court order requiring the person subpoenaed to produce books, documents or other records under his or her control at a specified time/place in a court hearing or a deposition.

Is a separate statement required for motion to quash subpoena?

A motion to quash production of documents at a deposition must be accompanied by a separate statement setting forth the particular documents or demands at issue, the responses received, and the reasons why production should be compelled.Apr 14, 2021

What does quash mean in legal terms?

To set aside; to void
Definition. To set aside; to void. As in "to quash a motion" or "quash evidence."

What is motion to dismiss?

A motion to dismiss is a formal request for a court to dismiss a case.

Who can file a motion to quash?

the accused
If the accused has been arrested, with or without warrant, he may file MOTION TO QUASH the arrest or to RECALL the same, on the ground that the same has been illegally made or that there is no probable cause.Feb 4, 2018

How do you serve a subpoena duces tecum in Virginia?

Rule 1:12 requires any request for a subpoena duces tecum shall be served on each counsel of record by delivery or mailing a copy to him on or before the day of filing. Per Va.

What is a motion to quash Virginia?

A motion to quash or modify must be timely and it also requires that the parties first confer or attempt to confer in good faith to resolve their differences. Upon a motion to quash, the court may grant, deny, or modify a subpoena.

Can a court grant a motion to quash a subpoena?

Court ruling on motion to quash subpoena. When presented with a motion to quash a subpoena, the court has four options: If in fact the subpoena is entirely illegal or sent to someone who is entirely unrelated to the dispute for example, the court can grant your motion to quash the subpoena.

How to quash a subpoena?

When presented with a motion to quash a subpoena, the court has four options: 1 Grant the motion and quash the subpoena 2 Partially grant the motion and quash parts of the subpoena 3 Modify the subpoena to make it reasonable 4 Dismiss the motion to quash

What is a subpoena in a lawsuit?

What is a subpoena. A subpoena is issued by a party’s lawyer to require someone that is not a party to a lawsuit do testify or to produce documents. These two types of subpoenas are referred to as a subpoena ad testificandum (subpoena to testify) or subpoena duces tecum (subpoena to produce documents).

Can you ignore a subpoena?

You cannot ignore a subpoena and you cannot fail to respect the terms of the subpoena, so the only option you’ll have to resist a subpoena is to file a motion to quash a subpoena.

Is a subpoena enforceable?

A subpoena is enforceable in the jurisdiction and territory relevant to the issuing court. In some jurisdictions, the subpoena may compel someone to testify or produce documents provided they are within for example 100 miles from where they are required to produce the documents.

Can a subpoena be quashed?

Client-lawyer privilege. A subpoena can be quashed if a party is asking you to divulge the content of privileged information protected by client-lawyer privilege. Any information exchanged confidentially with your legal advisor is protected by law.

Why is subpoena important?

It’s important to note that the purpose of subpoena is to allow the parties gather the evidence they need to get justice. Fundamentally, this is a very important process. As a result, in most cases, you’ll end up having to respect the terms of the subpoena one way or another.

How to quash a subpoena?

To quash a subpoena, make sure you file the motion before the date noted on the subpoena for you to appear or produce materials. You may need to meet with whoever served you with the subpoena before filing a motion. There may be additional procedural requirements to address as well. Consult an attorney to help you understand the rules regarding filing a motion to quash and make sure to look at these elements before submitting the motion: 1 Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45 (FRCP 45). 2 The formatting, timing, motion practices, service and filing issues of the court. 3 Case management/electronic case file rules of the court. 4 Any standing orders relevant to the court. 5 The independent practice rules of the judge, if they are applicable. 6 Possible additional standing rules of the court or judge in the case.

What is a subpoena ad testificandum?

There are two types of subpoenas: a subpoena ad testificandum asks that you testify in court or in front of another legal authority; a subpoena duces tecum asks that you produce materials, such as documents or additional physical evidence, before the court or another legal proceeding.

What is a subpoena in court?

A subpoena is a request for documents or for testimony in court or in other legal proceedings. When you get served with one, you must comply with what it is requesting. If you ignore it, you may be subject to legal penalties including fines, incarceration or both.

What happens if you ignore a subpoena?

If you ignore it, you may be subject to legal penalties including fines, incarceration or both. You may receive a subpoena in one of four ways: by hand, by email, by certified mail or by hearing it read out loud to you.

What to do after receiving a subpoena?

After you receive a subpoena, make sure to read it through as it will be specific to what you need to do. It will tell you who's making the request and why. If there's anything you don't understand about it, consult an attorney to advise you what to do next, including filing a motion to quash.

How to respond to a subpoena?

You can answer the requests of the issuing party in one of many ways. Complying by providing the requested materials or testimony to the court. Serving a written objection.

What is a quash notice?

A written notice of the motion to quash. An attorney-prepared memorandum of law. Any supporting affidavits or declarations. A proposed order prepared with the motion for the court to review. Proof of service. If a corporation is filing a motion to quash, it must submit a corporate disclosure statement.

Can an attorney sign a subpoena?

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 45 (a) (3) provides that an "attorney also may issue and sign a subpoena if the attorney is authorized to practice in the issuing court.". The subpoena has an illegible signature, and the subpoena form is not properly filled out.

Where is ABC located?

Defendant Smith issued the subpoena out of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, where the action is pending and directed ABC to produce documents in Baltimore, Maryland. That makes this Court both the issuing court and compliance court. ABC, a non-party, is located more than 100 miles from the issuing Court.

Timeliness of Motion to Quash

A party seeking to quash a subpoena must satisfy the threshold requirement of filing a “timely motion” before a court can quash a subpoena under the mandatory provisions of Rule 45 (d) (3). See Fed. R. Civ. P. 45 (d) (3) (A).

Scope of Information Sought By the Subpoena and Rule 26

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 is also relevant in the analysis because it defines the permissible scope of discovery, and a Rule 45 subpoena is subject to that same scope.

Benjamin M Pinczewski

You can and should file a motion to quash. But beware it is complicated and you need to comply with the time frames or the bank will release the information. Today it seems these banks are falling over themselves releasing records before even checking or informing their customers. It's like they have chosen sides and it's not with us.

Donald Solomon Nathan

I'm going to assume Arizona law is similar to Illinois and Georgia law with regard to this aspect of civil procedure. The answer in the states in which I am licensed would be yes, you could move to quash a subpoena for irrelevant bank records. Of course, you would have to demonstrate to the judge the basis for your motion; that they are irrelevant.

Paul Y. Lee

A nonparty consumer (the consumer is the person whose records are sought in the subpoena) may file a motion to quash the subpoena. The motion must be served on the records custodian and the deposition officer at least five days before the date set for production. CCP 1985.3 (g), 1985.6 (f).

S. David Rosenthal

The answers to all of your questions are "yes". I assume that Arizona has laws similar to California, but you have rights as the person whose information is being sought. You can file a motion to "quash" the subpeona and the judge can either completely quash or limit the subpoena. Likewise, the plaintiff's attorney can file the motion.

Overview

Types

  • There are two types of subpoenas: a subpoena ad testificandum asks that you testify in court or in front of another legal authority; a subpoena duces tecum asks that you produce materials, such as documents or additional physical evidence, before the court or another legal proceeding. These materials can include blood tests or DNA samples; computer files and downloads; tax returns; p…
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Definition

  • The definition of a motion in law is to request something from a judge. To quash something is to make it invalid. If you're filing a motion to quash a subpoena, you're saying that the court's request for materials or testimony from you is invalid. A subpoena can't go forward in whole or in part if a judge grants your motion to quash. You can ask an attorney to file a motion to quash on your be…
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Causes

  • You must have valid reasons for making a motion to quash a subpoena, for example: You don't have a fair amount of time to respond; the place to produce documents or to testify is over 100 miles away; the subpoena causes you too much time, effort or hardship in responding; you're asked to produce confidential information; or the subpoena is part of a lawsuit outside the court'…
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Preparation

  • To quash a subpoena, make sure you file the motion before the date noted on the subpoena for you to appear or produce materials. You may need to meet with whoever served you with the subpoena before filing a motion. There may be additional procedural requirements to address as well. Consult an attorney to help you understand the rules regarding fil...
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Results

  • If you must meet with or otherwise confer with the issuing party per the judge, your lawyer will likely note that both sides met in good faith to resolve the dispute. If you request to confer, but the issuing party refuses to do so, this will thwart your intentions for quashing. You may also want to declare to the litigant your good faith efforts in resolving the dispute.
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Risks

  • If you fail to take these steps, the court may deny your motion on procedural grounds. Attempting to confer with the issuing party beforehand may save you money and may lead to quick resolution of the dispute. Even if the court does not require a pre-motion meeting, you and your attorney should try to reach out to the litigants to resolve the conflict before it reaches the courtroom. If y…
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Issues

  • What to do when filing a motion to quash a subpoena may differ depending upon the court's location, where the underlying action is and if it is pending. If you live in the jurisdiction of the issuing court, the compliance court will be the same. If you don't, you must file your motion to quash in the court where you live.
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