Opinion ID: 2432481
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prosecutor subpoenas

Text: A prosecutor or deputy prosecutor may subpoena witnesses to appear before him or her with respect to matters being investigated. Ark.Code Ann. § 16-43-212 (Repl.1994). Mr. Neal argues that the statutory power was violated because defense witnesses were subpoenaed several months after the charges were filed and only one month prior to the original trial date. He argues that the prosecutor's subpoena power is reserved strictly for investigative purposes, and that the use of this power so late in the proceedings constitutes a clear abuse of that power. A prosecutor may subpoena witnesses to prepare for trial after charges have been filed as long as the power is not abused. Todd v. State, 283 Ark. 492, 678 S.W.2d 345 (1984). Mr. Neal does not give us a reason for holding there was an abuse in this case. As the State points out, he has neither alleged nor shown any prejudice resulting from alleged misuse of the prosecutor's subpoena power. In the absence of prejudice, we do not reverse. Parker v. State, 292 Ark. 421, 731 S.W.2d 756 (1987).