What can happen if a witness fails to appear in court?

When a witness fails to appear in court, one potential outcome is the issuance of a subpoena. A subpoena is a legal document that compels a person to attend court or produce documents. If a witness does not show up as expected, the court may determine that it is necessary to enforce their appearance to ensure that the legal proceedings can continue and proper testimony can be heard.

Issuing a subpoena serves as a way to reiterate the importance of the witness’s testimony to the case and can help to ensure that the witness understands their legal obligation to participate. This action often occurs to maintain the integrity of the judicial process and fulfill the right to a fair trial.

While the other outcomes, such as the possibility of a case being dismissed or adjusting the trial schedule, are considerations, they are less likely to be the direct immediate response compared to the active step of issuing a subpoena to address the absence of a witness. Thus, the issuance of a subpoena stands out as the most directly relevant action in the event that a witness fails to appear in court.