Which document commands the named defendant to appear in court to answer for a criminal charge?

Which document commands the named defendant to appear in court to answer for a criminal charge?

• A. Arrest warrant
• B. Summons
• C. Writ of attachment
• D. Subpoena

Answer: (B)

A summons is the document that commands the named defendant to appear in court on a set date to answer the criminal charges. It serves as a court-issued notice requiring the defendant’s presence rather than immediate custody. If the defendant ignores it, the court may issue an arrest warrant to bring them in. This differs from an arrest warrant, which authorizes immediate arrest; a writ of attachment, which deals with seizing property or compelling attendance in certain proceedings; and a subpoena, which compels testimony or the production of evidence rather than direct appearance to answer charges.

A summons is the document that commands the named defendant to appear in court on a set date to answer the criminal charges. It serves as a court-issued notice requiring the defendant’s presence rather than immediate custody. If the defendant ignores it, the court may issue an arrest warrant to bring them in. This differs from an arrest warrant, which authorizes immediate arrest; a writ of attachment, which deals with seizing property or compelling attendance in certain proceedings; and a subpoena, which compels testimony or the production of evidence rather than direct appearance to answer charges.