ARTICLE 11. Subpoenas [11450.05. - 11450.50.]

Cal. Government Code - GOV 11.

in effect

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 11450.05. Section 11450.05.

(a) This article applies in an adjudicative proceeding required to be conducted under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500). (b) An agency may use the subpoena procedure provided in this article in an adjudicative proceeding not required to be conducted under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500), in which case all the provisions of this article apply including, but not limited to, issuance of a subpoena at the request of a party or by the attorney of record for a party under Section 11450.20.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 11450.10. Section 11450.10.

(a) Subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum may be issued for attendance at a hearing and for production of documents at any reasonable time and place or at a hearing. (b) The custodian of documents that are the subject of a subpoena duces tecum may satisfy the subpoena by delivery of the documents or a copy of the documents, or by making the documents available for inspection or copying, together with an affidavit in compliance with Section 1561 of the Evidence Code.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 11450.20. Section 11450.20.

(a) Subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum shall be issued by the agency or presiding officer at the request of a party, or by the attorney of record for a party, in accordance with Sections 1985 to 1985.4, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure. (b) The process extends to all parts of the state and shall be served in accordance with Sections 1987 and 1988 of the Code of Civil Procedure. A subpoena or subpoena duces tecum may also be delivered by certified mail return receipt requested or by messenger. Service by messenger shall be effected when the witness acknowledges receipt of the subpoena to the sender, by telephone, by mail, or in person, and identifies himself or herself either by reference to date of birth and driver’s license number or Department of Motor Vehicles identification number, or the sender may verify receipt of the subpoena by obtaining other identifying information from the recipient. The sender shall make a written notation of the acknowledgment. A subpoena issued and acknowledged pursuant to this section has the same force and effect as a subpoena personally served. Failure to comply with a subpoena issued and acknowledged pursuant to this section may be punished as a contempt and the subpoena may so state. A party requesting a continuance based upon the failure of a witness to appear at the time and place required for the appearance or testimony pursuant to a subpoena, shall prove that the party has complied with this section. The continuance shall only be granted for a period of time that would allow personal service of the subpoena and in no event longer than that allowed by law. (c) No witness is obliged to attend unless the witness is a resident of the state at the time of service.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 11450.30. Section 11450.30.

(a) A person served with a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum may object to its terms by a motion for a protective order, including a motion to quash. (b) The objection shall be resolved by the presiding officer on terms and conditions that the presiding officer declares. The presiding officer may make another order that is appropriate to protect the parties or the witness from unreasonable or oppressive demands, including violations of the right to privacy. (c) A subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum issued by the agency on its own motion may be quashed by the agency.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 11450.40. Section 11450.40.

A witness appearing pursuant to a subpoena or a subpoena duces tecum, other than a party, shall receive for the appearance the following mileage and fees, to be paid by the party at whose request the witness is subpoenaed: (a) The same mileage allowed by law to a witness in a civil case. (b) The same fees allowed by law to a witness in a civil case. This subdivision does not apply to an officer or employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state.

Cal. Government Code - GOV § 11450.50. Section 11450.50.

(a) In the case of the production of a party to the record of a proceeding or of a person for whose benefit a proceeding is prosecuted or defended, the service of a subpoena on the witness is not required if written notice requesting the witness to attend, with the time and place of the hearing, is served on the attorney of the party or person. (b) Service of written notice to attend under this section shall be made in the manner and is subject to the conditions provided in Section 1987 of the Code of Civil Procedure for service of written notice to attend in a civil action or proceeding.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026