<p>My son was a witness to a crime, and called the police to report it, while on a college affiliated trip 450 miles from his campus. Now he has been served a summons to appear in court in 10 days. He has no transportation, place to stay etc at the location of the trial. He will have to miss a day of internship, which should be no problem, but of course he has no money of his own to pay for any associated costs- these monies will come from us. </p>
<p>I am concerned that he, all 19 of him, might be in jeopardy as well. The crime was gang-related shooting.</p>
<p>Anitaw, your son should contact the attorney who summoned him to explain the financial issues – attorneys can get funds from the court to pay for travel and hotel; this should not be an out-of-pocket expense for your son. </p>
<p>Also, is he currently in the same state as where the subpoena was issued? A state court subpena is not valid across state lines – there are special procedures that have to be followed in that case. If this is the situation, post again with details and I’ll provide more info.</p>
<p>Anitaw, are you the one who has posted on the “Dangers of Study Abroad” thread, stating you live in a Muslim country? Why are you looking on an American collegeboard website for a lawyer for your son? Where did he witness the gang shooting? If in a Muslim country, what might the consequences be for all involved?</p>
<p>There is also a mechanism for videotaped depositions and testimony. Yes, you or he should call and explain the hardship and the danger of your son traveling at 19 to this locale as a witness for this type of crime, and with no money to pay for the associated expenses.</p>
<p>This was my other son who attends Uni on the East coast. The event took place in another state from where the summons was delivered to him (where the Uni is located).</p>
<p>Since the reason he was in the locale was related to a college sanctioned activity he is speaking with the Uni legal resources. Hopefully, a cousin who is an attorney, who is in the same state the event took place in can look into this for him.</p>