Opinion ID: 498711
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Withdrawal of Subpoena

Text: 24 The March 25, 1987 grand jury subpoena was served on Arambulo through his counsel. It contained the customary language commanding him to testify and give evidence ... and not to depart the Court without leave thereof, or of the United States Attorney ... [a]nd for failure to attend and produce the said documents you will be deemed guilty of contempt of Court and liable to the penalties of law. Appellant urges that subsequent actions of the AUSA had the effect of impliedly withdrawing or extinguishing this subpoena. Alternatively, Arambulo contends that he fully satisfied his obligations under the subpoena when his attorney advised that if forced to appear he intended to invoke his Fifth Amendment privilege. We are not persuaded by either argument. 25 The district court held that once the grand jury subpoena is served it remains in effect and may not be withdrawn by implication. We agree. For over half a century it has been established law that unless a subpoena is vacated upon proper application, the person whom it directs to appear must respond to the subpoena and [must] remain in attendance until excused by the court or by the Government's representatives. Blackmer v. United States, 284 U.S. 421, 442-43, 52 S.Ct. 252, 256-57, 76 L.Ed.2d 375 (1932) (witness failing to appear on adjourned date of subpoena held in contempt over argument that he was only obliged to appear on the date specified on the face of the subpoena). 26 The various telephone calls and meetings following the issuance of the subpoena did not mark its withdrawal. It remained an outstanding, viable, continuing order that Arambulo had a duty to obey. Nor did the adjournments that were sought for defense counsel's benefit or Arambulo's convenience vitiate the subpoena. In United States v. Snyder, 413 F.2d 288 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 396 U.S. 907, 90 S.Ct. 223, 24 L.Ed.2d 183 (1969), the government had an arrangement under which the subpoenaed witness agreed to be on call to testify. This arrangement was held to have no effect on the continuing vitality of the subpoena, and could not be considered an agreement to replace it. Id. at 288-89. Adjournments from a grand jury appearance cannot later be viewed as an excuse by the government's representatives from the subpoena's commands. If this were the rule, adjournments would never be granted. Further, Arambulo, who sought these adjournments, may not now complain that the commands appearing on the face of the subpoena were not insisted upon. United States v. Germann, 370 F.2d 1019, 1022 (2d Cir.), vacated because of petitioner's death, 389 U.S. 329, 88 S.Ct. 503, 19 L.Ed.2d 559 (1967). 27 Arambulo's alternative argument requires little comment. It is sufficient merely to note that the discussion regarding Arambulo not appearing before a grand jury in New York was conditioned on his furnishing a letter stating his intention to invoke the Fifth Amendment. He never fulfilled the condition. Moreover, even if he had written such a letter it would not alter his continuing duty to obey the March 25th subpoena, absent being excused by the district court or the AUSA. See Blackmer, 284 U.S. at 443, 52 S.Ct. at 257; Snyder, 413 F.2d at 289; Germann, 370 F.2d at 1022. There is no evidence that such an excuse was ever given, and we do not construe these conversations, telephone calls and adjournments as an implied excuse from that obligation. Hence, appellant's arguments on the implied withdrawal of the subpoena and discharge of his obligation under it must fail.