summons
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summons
An official written request to appear at a specific time and place, usually before an authority such as the police or a court.
Der Zeuge erhielt eine Vorladung, um vor Gericht auszusagen.
The witness received a summons to testify in court.
'Die Vorladung' (the summons) is a noun derived from the separable verb 'vorladen' (to summon). The verb means to request someone to appear 'vor' (before) an official body in order to be 'geladen' (called/questioned).
Er wurde als Zeuge bei der Polizei vorgeladen.
He was summoned to the police as a witness.
Certain verbs are used in connection with 'Vorladung' (summons): you 'bekommt' or 'erhält' eine Vorladung (get or receive a summons). An authority 'stellt eine Vorladung aus' (issues a summons). You can 'Folge leisten' einer Vorladung (comply with a summons, i.e. go there).
Er hat eine Vorladung vom Gericht erhalten und muss dort erscheinen.
He received a summons from the court and has to appear there.
To indicate the purpose of the summons, the preposition 'zu' with the dative is used. To indicate the place, you say 'Vorladung vor' with the accusative for a court, or 'zur' with the dative for an authority.
Sie erhielt eine Vorladung zur Zeugenaussage.
She received a summons to give witness testimony.
cargo / charge / summons
Both words mean an official written request to appear. Ladung is the more formal term, especially in legal proceedings. Vorladung is also used for courts, but it often refers to the police or other authorities as well. The specific sender and the type of proceeding therefore usually determine which word is more appropriate.
Die Vorladung der Polizei nennt den Termin und den Ort des Gesprächs.
The police summons specifies the time and place of the interview.
Die Ladung zum Gerichtstermin kam gestern mit der Post.
The summons to the court hearing arrived by mail yesterday.
