Us Code § 388 - Subpena for attendance at deposition
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 388 — Subpena for attendance at deposition, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 388. Subpena for attendance at deposition
(a) Issuance
Upon application of any party, a subpena for attendance at a deposition shall be issued by:
(1) a judge or clerk of the United States district court for the district in which the place of examination is located;
(2) a judge or clerk of any court of record of the State in which the place of examination is located; or
(3) a judge or clerk of any court of record of the county in which the place of examination is located.
(b) Time, method, and proof of service
Service of the subpena shall be made upon the witness no later than three days before the day on which his attendance is directed. A subpena may be served by any person who is not a party to the contested election case and is not less than eighteen years of age. Service of a subpena upon a person named therein shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to such person and by tendering to him the fee for one day's attendance and the mileage allowed by section 389 of this title. Written proof of service shall be made under oath by the person making same and shall be filed with the Clerk.
(c) Place of examination
A witness may be required to attend an examination only in the county wherein he resides or is employed, or transacts his business in person, or is served with a subpena, or within forty miles of the place of service.
(d) Form
Every subpena shall state the name and title of the officer issuing same and the title of the contested election case, and shall command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony at a time and place and before an officer specified therein.
(e) Production of documents
A subpena may also command the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, papers, documents, or other tangible things designated therein, but the committee, upon motion promptly made and in any event at or before the time specified in the subpena for compliance therewith, may (1) quash or modify the subpena if it is unreasonable or oppressive, or (2) condition denial of the motion upon the advancement by the party in whose behalf the subpena is issued of the reasonable cost of producing the books, papers, documents, or tangible things. In the case of public records or documents, copies thereof, certified by the person having official custody thereof, may be produced in lieu of the originals.
(Pub. L. 91–138, §9, Dec. 5, 1969, 83 Stat. 288.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to any general or special election for Representative in, or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States occurring after Dec. 5, 1969, see section 19 of Pub. L. 91–138, set out as a note under section 381 of this title.
About This Section
2 U.S.C. § 388 is part of Title 2 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 2 U.S.C. § 388. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.