Subpoenaed for a Deposition: Does the Professional get Paid?
It is not uncommon for professionals who are not a party to a lawsuit to be subpoenaed to provide deposition testimony in the case. As long as the testimony remains factual and does not go into the area of expert testimony, the professional is only entitled to the statutory witness fee for the time of the deposition. The deciding factor is whether the professional is being called as an expert or as a fact witness. If called to provide factual information the professional is aware of, then the only compensation that is allowed is the statutory witness fee (which is currently $25 a day plus mileage, see RSMo. 491.280).