subpoena (someone or something) to (do something)

subpoena (someone or something) to (do something)

To issue a formal legal order under authority of a court of law commanding a person to appear at court or do something in court. His life could be in danger if the mob finds out he's been subpoenaed to testify. I didn't even know that I had been given a speeding ticket until I was subpoenaed to appear in court and pay the fine I owed.
See also: subpoena
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

subpoena someone to do something

to formally deliver a document forcing someone to do something for a legal process. The attorney subpoenaed a number of witnesses to testify. I subpoenaed four witnesses to appear but none of them showed up.
See also: subpoena
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • subpoena
  • subpoena to do
  • appear in court
  • stand up in court
  • take the bench
  • in chancery
  • pendente lite
  • per curiam
  • have the ball in (one's) court
  • have the ball in court