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So I receive an ordered to appear for a hearing ...

A

ash321

Member
1st time got this letter. And it is vague as hell. It doesn't even said what is the hearing is about.

Apparently I have been ask to testify on behalf of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ???

have any of you guys receive one like this before ?

Also it take place on Tuesday and I have class. Can I just don't go ?

Bonus: They even spell my last name wrong

Edit: I live in US
Another edit:
The letter
Poof
 
C

cpp_is_king

Member
Could you have supplied any *less* information?

Like, your country would be kinda helpful. And what "Commonwealth" is would also be helpful.
 
Indrid Cold1

Indrid Cold1

Member
This letter was even more vague than your OP?

If it's like jury duty or something, just cause you have class or work isn't a good enough reason to be excused I'm afraid.
 
B

BigDug13

Member
Like is this jury duty? Because you can postpone any jury duty due to college class.

Is this like you're called as a witness? Because it seems like the lawyers who need you to testify would do something more than sending a standard postal mail to get you to appear.

Seems weird to me.
 
B

beacon 0f light

Member
It seems incredibly suspicious. As far as I'm aware, subpoenas require much more than 3 business days notice.

Edit: I may have been thinking of civil cases. Didn't find any notice requirements for criminal cases after some quick googling.
 
B

Boem

Member
The easiest thing to do is to just call the right institution to ask for more information and to find out if it's legit. I don't think anyone here can help you without more information.
 
K

KojiKnight

Member
BigDug13 said:
Like is this jury duty? Because you can postpone any jury duty due to college class.

Is this like you're called as a witness? Because it seems like the lawyers who need you to testify would do something more than sending a standard postal mail to get you to appear.

Seems weird to me.
Click to expand...

Definitely not Jury duty. Jury duty would say such and give clear instructions.
 
A

ash321

Member
Here you guys go, just scan the letter
Poof


BigDug13 said:
Like is this jury duty? Because you can postpone any jury duty due to college class.

Is this like you're called as a witness? Because it seems like the lawyers who need you to testify would do something more than sending a standard postal mail to get you to appear.

Seems weird to me.
Click to expand...
Have no idea, nobody contact me before this. And I receive two of the same letter at the same time (today)
 
F

Faddy

Banned
Do you know James Bernard Noel? Have you given a statement to the police?

Call the number and ask for more details.
 
B

Boem

Member
A subpoena is serious, but if you've never heard about this before and have no idea what this could be about, it's possible they sent this to you by mistake. Might be intended for someone with a similar name.

Call them as soon as possible to find out, really your best bet.
 
B

B-Dubs

No Scrubs
KHarvey16 said:
A google search of the docket number shows it’s a real case, with information consistent with what’s in your letter.
Click to expand...

It sounds like OP has no idea what it's about though. Would they really ask him to testify without finding out what he would say? Maybe it's a screw up of some kind and it went to him by mistake.
 
W

whytemyke

Honorary Canadian.
Have you like called in any traffic accidents or anything in the past year or so?

I think a lot of times that's just to verify something stupid about someone you only tangentially know so that the state can prove that those people are dirty dirty felons.

edit: think of things where you could have seen something stupid. bar fight breaks out the same night you were at a bar? car dealership selling lemons and you test drove one the day someone got caught? etc.
 
P

pdog128

Member
Yeah, seems like you're being called to testify in a criminal case. Have you seen/been present at anything like that over the past few months? Like car accidents, some kind of disturbance, etc? Or do you know the defendant?

Otherwise, call the number and ask what it's about.

But it's not jury duty. It's a subpoena - you ain't getting out of it.

Edit: beaten beaten beaten
 
V

Vagabundo

Member
Last name spelt wrong means its not you. Just ring the number and tell them this letter came through with the wrong name on it.
 
A

Atomic Playboy

Member
ash321 said:
I did. They already closed. Will try tomorrow
Click to expand...

They're unlikely to be open on the weekend, but definitely try. Leave a message if they have the option to do so, and call back first thing on Monday if they aren't open on weekends. Subpoenas are nothing to fuck around with.
 
K

KHarvey16

Member
B-Dubs said:
It sounds like OP has no idea what it's about though. Would they really ask him to testify without finding out what he would say? Maybe it's a screw up of some kind and it went to him by mistake.
Click to expand...

Just wanted to clear up any concern about it being some kind of scam.

I can only assume he would have heard from someone at some point if he were going to be subpoenaed, or would have some idea of the case at least. The misspelling makes it seem like a mixup.
 
A

ash321

Member
DizzyCaffeine said:
Do you know a James Bernard Noel?
Click to expand...
Nope
B-Dubs said:
It sounds like OP has no idea what it's about though. Would they really ask him to testify without finding out what he would say? Maybe it's a screw up of some kind and it went to him by mistake.
Click to expand...
I have no idea what this about. They don't even included a reason on the letter.
whytemyke said:
Have you like called in any traffic accidents or anything in the past year or so?

I think a lot of times that's just to verify something stupid about someone you only tangentially know so that the state can prove that those people are dirty dirty felons.
Click to expand...
Nope, I don't even have a car.
Maybe the bolded part ?
 
Shortt Sirket

Shortt Sirket

Member
It seems to be about theft. Both taking and receiving stolen property. Have you had something stolen from you or someone you know lately?

Good GOD that man has a rap sheet.
 
A

ash321

Member
cwmartin said:
few googles:

Court Summary:
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Docke...rt.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-38128-CR-0000321-2017

Docket Sheet:
https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/DocketSheets/MDJReport.ashx?docketNumber=MJ-38128-CR-0000321-2017

Do you know anything about stolen property related to or received by this James Noel? Did you report a crime?
Click to expand...
No idea.
Or maybe I don't remember
NoblesseOblige said:
So you didn't receive an order to appear. Just toss it then!
Click to expand...
My name is kinda hard to spell so there is a chance they mess up.
DizzyCaffeine said:
Don't do this.
Click to expand...
Yah, I won't.

Will call tomorrow and get back to you guys. Just want to have an idea what this about and can I dodge this.

Apparently not lol
 
J

JoeBoy101

Member
OP, its just me, but I'd get that picture off the net right now.

It has way too much personalized information for you and it also gives when, where, and that you'll be testifying in a criminal trial. This isn't Facebook, for sure, but it still is an unneeded risk.

Lastly, just call the number with any questions. You'll find court staff very helpful on the whole.
 
B

boxter432

Member
ash321 said:
1st time got this letter. And it is vague as hell. It doesn't even said what is the hearing is about.

Apparently I have been ask to testify on behalf of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ???

have any of you guys receive one like this before ?

Also it take place on Tuesday and I have class. Can I just don't go ?

Bonus: They even spell my last name wrong

Edit: I live in US
Another edit:
The letter

Not my name at the V. part
Click to expand...

As serious as this could be, I feel like you need to go to class after reading some of your sentences lol.
 
B

BlackSalad

Member
Regardless of whether you can ignore it, you should contact them. The person they may be looking for might help determine if this man is innocent.

Don't want it on your conscience that you could of possibly helped imprison an innocent person by ignoring something so simple.
 
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