If a person is younger than 18 years of age, is the court required to subpoena the parent to bring him or her to court to testify?

• A. Yes
• B. Only if the child is under 16
• C. The court may require a guardian to testify instead
• D. No

Answer: (D)

Subpoenas are meant to compel the appearance of the actual witness or their legal custodian, not to force a parent to physically bring the child to court. For someone under 18, the court can issue a subpoena directly to the minor or to a guardian to secure attendance. The parent is not automatically required to be subpoenaed simply to bring the child to testify. In some situations a guardian or another custodian may testify or the court may allow alternative ways for the minor to testify, but there isn’t a general obligation to subpoena the parent to fetch the minor.