Rule 17 Subpoena
Rule Text
(a) For Attendance of Witnesses; Fonn: Issuance. A subpoena shall be issued by the court or its clerks under the seal of the court. It shall state the name of the court and the title of the proceeding, and shall command each person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony at the time and place specified therein. The court or its clerks shall issue a subpoena, signed, and sealed but otherwise in blank to a party requesting it, who shall fill in the blanks before it is served.
(b) Vacant
(c) For Production of Documentary Evidence and of Objects. A subpoena may also command the person to whom it is directed to produce the books, papers, documents or other objects designated therein. The court on motion made promptly may quash or modify the subpoena if compliance would be unreasonable or oppressive. The court may direct that books, papers, documents or objects designated in the subpoena be produced before the court at a time prior to the trial or prior to the time when they are to be offered in evidence and may upon their production permit the books, papers, documents or objects or portions thereof to be inspected by the parties and their attorneys.
(d) Service. A subpoena may be served by a policeman or by any other person who is not a party and who is not less than 18 years of age. Service of a subpoena shall be made by delivering a copy thereof to the person named and by tendering to him/her the fee for one ( 1) day's anendance allowed by law or court rule. Fees need not be tendered to the witness upon service of a subpoena issued in behalf of the Commonwealth or an officer or agency thereof. At or before the time stated for appearance in a subpoena, the person to whom such a subpoena is delivered for service shall write a report of his/her action on it, sign it, and have it delivered to the court named therein. If he/she has served the subpoena, his/her report shall show the date, place, and method of service.
(e) Place of Service. A subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness at a hearing or trial may be served at any place within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(f) For Taldn~ Deposition: Place of Examination.
(1) Issuance. An order to take a deposition authorizes the issuance by the court or its clerks of subpoenas for the persons named or described therein.
(2) Place. The witness whose deposition is to be taken may be required by subpoena to attend at any place designated by the court, taking into account the convenience of the witness and the parties.
(g) Contempt. Failure by any person without adequate excuse to obey a subpoena served upon him/her may be deemed a contempt of the court.
(h) Infonnation Not Subject to Subpoena. Statements made by witnesses or prospective witnesses may not be subpoenaed for the government or the defendant under this rule, but shall be subject to production only in accordance with the provisions of Rule 26.2.
Rule 17.1 PRETRIAL CONFERENCE At any time after the filing of the complaint or information the court upon motion of any party or upon its own motion may order one or more conferences to consider such matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial. At the conclusion of a conference the court shall prepare and file a memorandum of the matters agreed upon. No admissions made by the defendant or his/her attorney at the conference shall be used against the defendant unless the admissions are reduced to writing and signed by the defendant and his/her attorney. This rule shall not be invoked in the cases of a defendant who is not represented by counsel. V. PLACE OF TRIAL