Summons

A notice sent to a defendant informing him or her that the listed charges have brought in Superior Court, and requesting that he or she appear at Court on the date indicated to answer the charges.

A written notice 1) requiring the named person to appear in court on a specified day; or 2) informing the named person that a lawsuit has been started against him or her and he or she must answer.

The Order from the Court Administrator to the defendant telling her/him to come to court to respond to the Complaint, which must be attached to the Summons.

Instrument used to commence a civil action or special proceeding; the means of acquiring jurisdiction over a party.

A court order commanding an individual to appear before a magistrate judge at a certain time to answer charges. A summons is similar to an arrest warrant, except that a summons directs the defendant to appear on his own before a magistrate judge. An arrest warrant is a court order that he or she be arrested and be brought to the nearest available magistrate judge by a law enforcement officer.