§ 136.585 By whom subpoena is served

This rule explains who is allowed to hand-deliver a subpoena to someone. A subpoena is a legal paper that orders a person to show up to court or bring documents.

The defendant in a criminal case can serve the subpoena themselves. Any other adult, meaning someone 18 or older, can also serve it. On top of that, a sheriff or constable can serve it as long as the person to be served lives or can be found within that sheriff's or constable's county or district.

This rule applies no matter which side needs the subpoena served, whether it's the prosecution or the defense. So both sides have the same options for getting a subpoena delivered: use an adult they know, or have local law enforcement handle it.