term:

Subpoena

subpoena

also
sub·pe·na
[sə-pē-nə]

n
[Latin sub poena under penalty]
: a writ commanding a designated person upon whom it has been served to appear (as in court or before a congressional committee) under a penalty (as a charge of contempt) for failure to comply compare summons

also
subpena

vt
-naed
-na·ing
: to call before a court or hearing by a subpoena [the inspector is given the power to any relevant…witnesses "Harvard Law Review"]
;also
: to command the production of (evidence) by a subpoena duces tecum [subpoenaed documents]

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.