This column deals with advice to a civil practitioner whose client has received a federal or a Pennsylvania state grand jury subpoena. This is a complicated subject. This column is not meant to be a detailed instruction, but an introductory guide for civil practice attorneys whose clients receive a grand jury subpoena. I was a federal prosecutor for 15 years in Illinois and Pennsylvania. I conducted many grand jury investigations and dealt with many defense attorneys.

Two facts must be recognized. First, a grand jury subpoena is not a subpoena for a deposition. The client or someone the client deals with is under investigation for a federal or state crime. Second, the civil practice attorney should not attempt to handle the representation. The civil attorney must seek counsel from a criminal lawyer who regularly deals with grand jury investigations.