Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

If you have been "served" with a subpoena, an official document, to be there in court, then you must show up. You could get in trouble if you defy a subpoena. However, this would have to be a formal document given to you by a Sheriff's deputy or private process server.

If you are the complaining witness, and you are not interested in pursuing the issue, then the prosecutor will probably drop the charges. Although the prosecutor can make his own decision and does not have to drop the charges, they often do follow your request. So if you are not interested in prosecuting the case, then the prosecutor will probably drop the case.

If you've been properly served with a subpoena as described by Mr. Moseley to appear as a witness for the Commonwealth at your

boyfriend's scheduled trial and fail to do so, the prosecutor may

ask the judge to issue what's called a Rule Against the Witness which

(once served upon you) would require you to come to court to account to the judge for your failure to appear at the trial and with the possibility that you could be found in contempt and subject to sanctions/penalties for your failure to show up as required by the subpoena.