If I was served papers for a hearing, does this mean charges were pressed against me?

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If I was served papers for a hearing, does this mean charges were pressed against me?

I was served papers for a hearing but told charged were not pressed. Were charges pressed against

me?

Asked on August 21, 2017 under Criminal Law, West Virginia

Answers:

SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 6 years ago | Contributor

What do the papers say?
If it is a summons for you, then charges were pressed: a summons is the legal paper that deals a defendant that there are charges pending against him or her, and advises him or her of the court date.
If it is a subpoena, or just a notice to appear to testify, you are a witness: you are not charged, but must appear, on pain of punishment, for the trial or hearing to testify.
So what is the document called: is it a summons? or does it say it is a subpoena?
And what is the name of the case? The first part of the name should be "State v." or "State vs."--i.e. the state (the authorities) is bringing charges against someone. Who is that someone? Is the name after the "v" or "vs" your name (charges against you) or some other name (so you are a witness)?


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