Section 20.18 Right to Cross-Examine Witnesses and Right to Compulsory Process

• Library: Criminal Practice 2012 Supp

I. (§20.18) Right to Cross-Examine Witnesses and Right to Compulsory Process

All parties are entitled to compulsory process, usually in the form of witness subpoena. Mo. Const. art. I, § 18(a). The procedure to obtain witness subpoenas will differ from circuit to circuit and county to county.

Counsel should determine if there are any particular procedures established by local court rule. In most instances, subpoenas may be obtained on request from the court clerk. They can usually be obtained in blank for service by defense counsel or counsel’s agents, or they can be delivered to the sheriff’s office for service as any other process.

In all cases, including misdemeanors, defendants have the right to:

· confront their accusers;

· cross-examine witnesses who have testified against them; and

·...