In a filing Thursday, Ivanka Trump’s attorneys asked the court to throw out those subpoenas, arguing she wasn’t properly served and the state court lacks jurisdiction because she’s not a New York resident anymore.
Ivanka Trump also isn’t relevant to the case anymore, her attorneys argued, after Judge Arthur Engoron issued a summary judgment ruling before the trial that found her father and other business associates liable for fraud, narrowing the scope of what would be determined at the trial.
Right, but unfortunately that has nothing to do with compelling a witness to testify in court.
A court can compel a witness to testify if they live x miles from the courthouse. The amount of miles is a general rule but the judge can use their discretion. Legally it’s a good argument. However since it’s such a high profile case and they have the financial means to appear then there is plenty of backup if the judge wants to compel her to show up.