Administrative Subpoena Response Guide - Washington

WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE SUBPOENA RESPONSE

Before you use: Identify the issuing body and the source of its power on the actual paper. This letter communicates a response; it does not itself modify a subpoena or stay compliance. If the paper is an Attorney General civil investigative demand under RCW 19.86.110, a good-cause court petition to extend, modify or set it aside must be filed before the return date or within 20 days after service, whichever is shorter. For another agency's investigative demand, enter and verify its own statute, rule, order and challenge route before sending.

Date: [__/__/____]

To: [issuing officer, agency counsel or named Attorney General staff]
Agency and address: [name and official response channel]
Matter or docket: [number]
Document received: [subpoena or demand title, date and return date]
Date and manner of service: [date and method]

From: [recipient's legal name and capacity]
Address and contact: [address, email and telephone]
Counsel, if any: [name and contact]

Re: Response to [exact subpoena or demand title]

Dear [name or title]:

I received the identified document on [date]. I understand it requests ☐ testimony on [date, time and place] ☐ documentary material by [date and channel] ☐ written answers by [date] ☐ other [exact requirement]. The issuing authority stated on the document is [exact statute, rule or order].

Route — select one:

☐ This is a subpoena in an adjudicative proceeding under RCW 34.05.446. The presiding officer and applicable agency rules are [names and citations]. I request ☐ clarification ☐ a protective order ☐ adjustment of [specific production or testimony term] from [decisionmaker], under the authority stated in the proceeding.

☐ This is an Attorney General civil investigative demand under RCW 19.86.110. The identified investigation, material classes, return date and named staff are [copy precisely from demand]. I request ☐ clarification ☐ an agreed change of [specific term] from the Attorney General. If court relief is needed, it must be separately sought under RCW 19.86.110(8) within its applicable deadline.

☐ This is another agency's investigative demand. Its identified authority is [specific statute and rule]; the decisionmaker and response route are [source and contact]. I request [specific response or accommodation] under that authority.

Response and scope. I will ☐ appear for testimony as directed, subject to [identified issue] ☐ produce the nonobjected materials listed in Schedule A by [date and method] ☐ answer the identified interrogatories in a separately signed attachment by [date] ☐ confirm that no responsive records were found after the search described in Schedule A. I request confirmation before the return date if a different production method is required.

Specific matters requiring resolution:

I have identified potentially protected material at [category, without revealing privileged content]. I ask that any agreed production protocol preserve [specific privilege, confidentiality or security interest] while permitting production of the nonobjected material. My proposed secure transfer method is [method], and the person coordinating it is [name].

Please respond to the specific requests above by [date before the return date] at [contact]. I will continue to preserve the records identified in Schedule A while the scope and handling are resolved. Any agreed extension or change should be confirmed in writing by an authorized decisionmaker. This letter does not assert that an objection alone suspends the issued requirement.

Respectfully,

Signature: ______________________________
Printed name and capacity: [name and role]
Date: [__/__/____]

Schedule A — records and search: [custodians, systems, date range, records found, material proposed for production, withheld categories and basis].
Attachments: [demand copy, proposed protocol, separately signed answers or “none”].
Delivery proof: [date, method, recipient and confirmation].