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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 3Pt. 1Ch. 2Art. 2§ 11185 Witness Subpoena Travel Limits

§ 11185 Witness Subpoena Travel Limits

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 11185 Witness Subpoena Travel Limits

Key Takeaways

  • •If you're a person and get a subpoena, you usually only have to go to court in the county where you live, unless it's less than 75 miles away.
  • •If a company gets a subpoena, they might have to send someone to court in the county where their main office is, or within 150 miles of that office.
  • •If a company does business in the state but doesn't have an office there, they might have to send someone to court within 75 miles of where they live or work.
  • •If someone doesn't live or work in the state, the court will decide where they have to go for the subpoena.

Example

You live in Los Angeles and get a subpoena to go to court in San Diego.

Since San Diego is more than 75 miles away from Los Angeles, you don't have to go. The court has to find a closer place for you.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 11185 Witness Subpoena Travel Limits

(a) If the witness named in the subpoena is a natural person, the person is not obliged to attend as a witness in any matter under this article at a place out of the county in which he or she resides, unless the distance is less than 75 miles from his or her place of residence. (b) If the witness named in the subpoena is not a natural person and has an office within this state, the subpoena may provide that the testimony of the persons designated to appear on behalf of the witness, as described in subdivision (b) of Section 11184, shall be given in the county in which the witness named in the subpoena has its principal executive or business office in this state or within 150 miles of that location. (c) If the witness conducts business in this state but does not reside or have an office within this state, the subpoena may provide that oral testimony shall be given at a location that is within 75 miles of the residence or executive or business office of the witness. (d) If the witness does not reside, have an office, or conduct business in this state, the testimony shall be given and documents and other items produced at a location set by a court. (e) The department head may require any person who resides or conducts business in this state to produce the documents and other items described in subdivision (e) of Section 11181 at a location in the county in which the department head or the Attorney General maintains an office. (f) Nothing in this section prevents the department head and subpoenaed person from agreeing that testimony may be given or production made at any location. (Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 876, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 2004.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

natural personsubpoenacountyprincipal executive or business officecourt-determined location

Related Statutes

  • § 11186 Court Subpoena Enforcement Powers
  • § 11187 Witness Subpoena Enforcement
  • § 11188 Court Order For Noncompliance
  • § 18671 Board Hearing Subpoena Powers
  • § 18672.1 Subpoena Objection Protections

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 11185.
View Official Source