Handling Subpoenas, Search Warrants, etc. in the University Registrar's Office

General Counsel's Office, 458.8940 or 8941, Washington Hall 32

Public Safety Office, 458.8999 or 8427, Elrod University Commons 254

Who is delivering it? Ask for photo identification and check it carefully.

What is it? Summons, Subpoena, Search Warrant, Court Order, other notice from a governmental agency

Should I accept it? Do not accept it unless it is addressed to the University Registrar's Office, Washington and Lee University, or to an administrator in this office by name and title. Do not accept such a document for the Business Office, Health and Counseling, or any other office.

Immediately tell Scott, Barbara or Jeannette of the attempted delivery. If they aren't available, you may say to deliverer, "I do not have the authority to accept it" and direct the deliverer to the Office of General Counsel to determine whether it may be accepted.

If you accept it,

stamp it in with one of the Received stamps or note the date and time received and the method of delivery (by hand, by campus mail, by US mail, etc.).

make a photocopy of the document and get it to the Office of General Counsel on the same day.

With the exception of a search warrant, you should not take any action on other official documents until the Office of General Counsel has determined its validity and appropriate action(s).

Do not interfere with a search warrant delivered and addressed to the office, one of our staff members, or to you personally. Call Scott, Barbara, or Jeannette and the Office of General Counsel or Public Safety immediately. Keep a list and copy of all records provided or examined pursuant to the warrant.

Do not talk about the document or the fact that it was received with people other than Scott, Barbara, or Jeannette and the Office of General Counsel or others with a legitimate need to know. Talking about certain things with the wrong people may be illegal.

If you are called or visited by a government attorney, investigator, agency representative, or private attorney involving University business, immediately tell Scott, Barbara, or Jeannette of the contact. If they aren’t available, refer the caller/visitor to the Office of General Counsel and notify the General Counsel’s Office or the Director of Public Safety of the contact immediately.