Summons vs. Citation — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 2, 2024
A summons is a legal document issued by a court ordering an individual to appear in court, while a citation is a notice, often issued by law enforcement, citing a minor violation of law.
Difference Between Summons and Citation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A summons is an official court document that plays a critical role in the judicial process, compelling an individual or entity to appear in court on a specified date and time. It is often used in both civil and criminal proceedings to ensure that parties are formally notified of legal actions against them or of their required participation in legal proceedings. Whereas, a citation is typically issued by law enforcement or governmental agencies for minor legal violations, such as traffic infractions, and serves as a notice to the offender. It usually outlines the violation, potential penalties, and sometimes the option to pay a fine in lieu of court appearance.
The issuance of a summons is a formal process that initiates a legal proceeding, requiring the recipient to respond or face potential legal consequences, such as a default judgment in civil cases or a warrant in criminal cases. On the other hand, a citation, while also legal in nature, generally involves less severe consequences and often allows for resolution through payment of a fine or attendance at an educational program, without necessarily appearing in court.
Summons documents are typically served by a sheriff, constable, or court-appointed individual, ensuring that the recipient is aware of the legal requirement to appear in court. This method of service is part of the due process rights, guaranteeing that individuals have the opportunity to present their case. Citations, however, are usually given directly to the individual at the time of the violation by an officer or official and require less formal service procedures.
The content of a summons includes detailed information about the legal action, including the court’s name, case number, parties involved, and the action required by the recipient. Citations, while also containing specific details about the violation, are more standardized and include information such as the date, time, location of the offense, and instructions for resolution.
While a summons is a crucial part of the litigation process, requiring a formal response and court appearance, a citation often offers multiple resolution options, such as paying a fine, attending a course, or challenging the citation in court, providing a more flexible approach to legal compliance and resolution of minor offenses.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An official court order requiring someone to appear in court.
A notice issued for minor legal violations, often by law enforcement.
Purpose
To initiate legal proceedings and compel court appearance.
To notify of a violation and outline penalties or resolution options.
Issued By
Courts through legal officials.
Law enforcement or governmental agencies.
Service Method
Formal service by a legal official.
Direct issuance to the violator at the time of the offense.
Consequences
Failure to appear can lead to severe legal consequences.
Usually resolvable by paying a fine or attending a program.
Compare with Definitions
Summons
Requirement to respond to a lawsuit.
Upon receiving the summons, the company prepared its legal defense.
Citation
Direct issuance by law enforcement.
The pedestrian received a citation for jaywalking.
Summons
Initiation of legal action.
The lawsuit commenced with the issuance of a summons to the accused party.
Citation
Notice of a minor legal violation.
The driver was issued a citation for speeding.
Summons
A call to attend court.
The summons included the date and time for the court appearance.
Citation
A ticket outlining a fine or penalty.
The citation required payment of a $100 fine.
Summons
Official notification of a legal proceeding.
The summons detailed the charges and required court appearance.
Citation
Official record of a violation.
The officer recorded the citation in the system.
Summons
A legal document ordering someone to appear in court.
The defendant received a summons for a preliminary hearing.
Citation
Option for legal resolution.
The citation offered a defensive driving course as an alternative to fines.
Summons
A summons (also known in England and Wales as a claim form and in the Australian state of New South Wales as a court attendance notice (CAN)) is a legal document issued by a court (a judicial summons) or by an administrative agency of government (an administrative summons) for various purposes.
Citation
A citation is a reference to a source. More precisely, a citation is an abbreviated alphanumeric expression embedded in the body of an intellectual work that denotes an entry in the bibliographic references section of the work for the purpose of acknowledging the relevance of the works of others to the topic of discussion at the spot where the citation appears.
Summons
A call by an authority to appear, come, or do something.
Citation
The act of citing.
Summons
An order or process directing a person, especially a defendant in a case, to appear in court.
Citation
A quotation of or explicit reference to a source for substantiation, as in a scholarly paper.
Summons
An order or process directing a person to report to court as a potential juror.
Citation
(Law) A reference to a previous court decision or other authority for a point of law, usually by case title and other information.
Summons
To order to appear in or report to court by means of a summons
The defendant was summonsed to the district court.
Citation
An official commendation for meritorious action, especially in military service
A citation for bravery.
Summons
To serve with a summons.
Citation
A formal statement of the accomplishments of one being honored with an academic degree.
Summons
A call to do something, especially to come.
Citation
An official summons, especially one calling for appearance in court.
Summons
(legal) A notice summoning someone to appear in court, as a defendant, juror or witness.
Citation
An official summons or notice given to a person to appear.
Summons
(military) A demand for surrender.
Citation
The paper containing such summons or notice.
Summons
(transitive) To serve someone with a summons.
Citation
The act of citing a passage from a text, or from another person, using the exact words of the original text or speech and giving credit to the original by referencing.
Summons
The act of summoning; a call by authority, or by the command of a superior, to appear at a place named, or to attend to some duty.
Special summonses by the king.
This summons . . . unfit either to dispute or disobey.
He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer pardon; but neither summons nor pardon was regarded.
Citation
An entry in a list of sources from which information was taken, typically following a prescribed bibliographical style; a reference.
Summons
A warning or citation to appear in court; a written notification signed by the proper officer, to be served on a person, warning him to appear in court at a day specified, to answer to the plaintiff, testify as a witness, or the like.
Citation
The passage or words quoted; a quotation.
Summons
A demand to surrender.
Citation
(lexicography) A quotation with attached bibliographical details demonstrating the use of a particular lexical item in a dictionary, especially a dictionary on historical principles.
Summons
To summon.
Citation
Enumeration; mention.
It's a simple citation of facts.
Summons
A request to be present;
They came at his bidding
Citation
A reference to decided cases, or books of authority, to prove a point in law.
Summons
An order to appear in person at a given place and time
Citation
A commendation in recognition of some achievement, or a formal statement of an achievement.
Summons
A writ issued by authority of law; usually compels the defendant's attendance in a civil suit; failure to appear results in a default judgment against the defendant
Citation
An official summons or notice given to a person to appear; the paper containing such summons or notice.
Summons
Call in an official matter, such as to attend court
Citation
The act of citing a passage from a book, or from another person, in his own words; also, the passage or words quoted; quotation.
This horse load of citations and fathers.
Citation
Enumeration; mention; as, a citation of facts.
Citation
A reference to decided cases, or books of authority, to prove a point in law.
Citation
An official award (as for bravery or service) usually given as formal public statement
Citation
(law) the act of citing (as of spoken words or written passages or legal precedents etc.)
Citation
A short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage;
The student's essay failed to list several important citations
The acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book
The article includes mention of similar clinical cases
Citation
A passage or expression that is quoted or cited
Citation
A summons that commands the appearance of a party at a proceeding
Citation
Thoroughbred that won the triple crown in 1948
Common Curiosities
What does a citation entail?
A citation is a notice issued for minor legal violations, often specifying a fine or penalty and instructions for resolution.
How is a summons served?
A summons is formally served by legal officials, ensuring the recipient is aware of their obligation to appear in court.
What happens if you ignore a citation?
Ignoring a citation can lead to increased penalties, additional fines, or a warrant for your arrest in some cases.
What is a summons?
A summons is an official court document that requires an individual to appear in court in response to a legal proceeding.
Is a court appearance mandatory for a citation?
Not always; many citations allow for resolution via payment of a fine or attendance at an educational program.
Who can issue a summons?
Summons are issued by courts and are part of formal legal proceedings.
Can you pay a fine to resolve a summons?
Typically, a summons requires a court appearance, though specific responses vary based on the case and jurisdiction.
Who can issue a citation?
Citations are usually issued by law enforcement officers or governmental agencies.
What are the consequences of not responding to a summons?
Failure to respond to a summons can result in a default judgment, fines, or a warrant for arrest.
Do you need a lawyer for a summons?
While not always required, it is advisable to consult a lawyer for legal proceedings involving a summons.
Can a citation turn into a summons?
Yes, if a citation is ignored or not properly addressed, it may escalate into a summons or warrant.
What information is included in a citation?
Citations include details of the violation, fine amount, and options for resolution.
Can a citation affect your criminal record?
Depending on the violation and jurisdiction, some citations may impact your record, especially if not properly resolved.
How do you contest a citation?
You can contest a citation by appearing in court on the specified date or following the instructions provided for contesting.
Are there different types of summons?
Yes, there are various types of summons for different legal situations, including civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
