Subpoena duces tecum

In the United States, a subpoena duces tecum (Latin for "bring with you under penalty of punishment") is specific form of a subpoena (summons, literally "under punishment") issued by a court ordering the parties named to appear and produce tangible evidence (documents or otherwise) for use at a hearing or trial.

The terms used vary among jurisdictions. In U.S. jurisdictions that have reduced the use of foreign words and phrases in court terminology, this type of subpoena is also called a "subpoena for production of evidence."

In most jurisdictions, a subpoena usually has to be served personally.