Who is authorized to issue a subpoena?

The authority to issue a subpoena is vested in specific legal professionals and judicial figures due to their roles within the legal system. An attorney, clerk, judge, or magistrate has the legal standing to issue subpoenas as part of their duties. This power is crucial because subpoenas are legal documents that command an individual to appear in court or produce certain evidence.

Attorneys can issue subpoenas as part of their legal representation activities. Clerks and judges are involved in the administration of the court process, ensuring that legal proceedings are conducted fairly and according to established laws. Magistrates, who typically handle preliminary matters in legal cases, also have the authority to issue subpoenas to facilitate their functions.

The presence of boundaries around who can issue a subpoena underscores the need for legal accountability and process integrity. This is why the other choices are not correct: police officers may aid in the execution of subpoenas but do not possess the authority to issue them. Likewise, an age requirement, such as being over 18, does not qualify individuals to issue subpoenas. Private investigators, despite their investigative roles, lack the legal authority to issue subpoenas because they are not recognized as members of the legal profession or court system.