A subpoena is a formal legal demand, and getting one for your security footage can feel alarming. It does not mean you did anything wrong. Cameras capture events that matter to disputes and investigations, and the owner of the camera is often the person who has the evidence. What you do in the first hours matters: keep the footage from being overwritten, read the document carefully, get legal advice and export what is demanded, no more and no less. This guide explains those first steps in plain language. I am a camera installer, not an attorney, so treat this as orientation and then call a lawyer.
This is general information, not legal advice. Subpoenas and court orders have specific rules and deadlines. Talk to an attorney as soon as you receive one.
1. The Short Version
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Do not ignore it. Note the response deadline. |
| 2 | Preserve the footage immediately. Stop overwriting. |
| 3 | Read exactly what is being requested. |
| 4 | Call an attorney, preferably the same day. |
| 5 | Export only what the document covers, with your attorney's guidance. |
| 6 | Log what you provide and keep copies. |
2. What a Subpoena Is, in Plain Terms
A subpoena is a demand, issued in connection with a legal matter, that you produce documents or things, or appear to testify. Footage counts as something that can be demanded. A court order signed by a judge is a different instrument with its own force. Police may also seek footage through other means, such as a warrant or a voluntary request. The paperwork tells you which one you have, and your attorney can explain what it requires of you. Do not try to guess from the headline.
3. Preserve Immediately
The footage you are asked for may be overwritten on your recorder within days. Export it now and mark the originals so they are not lost. Do not wait for the attorney call to protect the evidence. Note the date, cameras and time range. If you have a cloud copy or a backup, tell your attorney. Deleting or altering footage after you know it is demanded can cause serious trouble, so do not tidy anything up. Our guide on camera footage retention policies explains how to build a hold into your routine.
4. Read What It Asks For
Look closely at:
- Who issued it and in what matter.
- Which dates, times and locations are covered.
- Whether it asks for footage only, or also logs, account records, installer invoices or system settings.
- The deadline and where to respond.
- Whether it asks you to appear as well as produce records.
If anything is unclear, ask your attorney rather than the requester.
5. Call an Attorney
This is not a do-it-yourself project. An attorney can tell you whether the demand is valid, whether it is too broad, whether objections apply, how to respond and what to say. If you are a tenant, employee or small-business owner without a lawyer, your insurer, a local bar association referral service or a business association may help you find one. If the footage could affect you personally, mention that at the outset.
6. Think About Third Parties
Your footage may show other people: tenants, customers, employees or passersby. Your attorney can advise whether and how to handle that, such as whether notice is required or whether redaction makes sense. Do not post, forward or discuss the footage while the matter is open. Our guide on posting footage online explains why sharing can backfire.
7. Exporting Correctly
- Use the recorder's export function, not a screen recording of a monitor.
- Export in the original format plus a standard format if possible, along with any needed player.
- Capture accurate time information. Note whether the recorder clock was correct and how you checked it.
- Include only the demanded cameras and times, unless your attorney directs otherwise.
- Make a hash or checksum if your installer or IT person can, so the file can be shown to be unchanged.
- Store two copies on separate, secured media and label them.
- Do not edit, trim or add captions to the originals.
See our guide on chain of custody for footage.
8. Do Not Do These Things
- Do not delete anything after receiving the subpoena.
- Do not alter timestamps or settings to make things look neater.
- Do not hand over your recorder password or remote access to the requester.
- Do not give more than the document covers without advice.
- Do not discuss the case on social media or in a group chat.
- Do not ignore the deadline.
9. Timestamps and Reliability
Footage that is easy to authenticate is more useful. Show that the clock was correct, the system recorded continuously and the camera was where you say it was. A monthly check that compares the recorder time to a known clock builds that record. Our guide on timestamp accuracy explains how. If your system has had outages or settings changes, tell your attorney.
10. After You Respond
Keep a file with the subpoena, your attorney's advice, the export log, copies of what you sent and proof of delivery. Do not delete anything until your attorney says it is safe. Review your own retention and access policies afterward. Our guides on legal requests from lawyers and insurers and on retention policies can help you improve your process.
11. News Context
Camera footage shows up in serious matters regularly. In February 2026, NYPD released stills and video from a Staten Island doorstep to help identify three young men who tried to enter three homes overnight, according to CBS News New York. In July 2026, QNS reported on a burglar targeting homes in Flushing, Oakland Gardens and Bayside, with police offering a reward. When cameras help in cases like these, owners are often asked for footage, and some of those requests arrive in formal form.
The NYPD's Crime Stoppers page lists rewards of up to $3,500 for tips that lead to arrests in certain cases; see nyc.gov.
12. Costs
Responding costs you time, and likely legal fees. Planning ranges for system improvements that make this easier in 2026: a recorder upgrade with easier exports and more storage, $800 to $3,500; a system health check and clock correction, $150 to $450; a new eight-camera business system, $3,000 to $6,800 installed. Attorney fees vary and are separate. These are planning ranges, not quotes.
13. Questions to Ask Your Installer
- Can you show me how to export clips with a viewer and a checksum?
- Can my recorder lock specific clips from being overwritten?
- How is the recorder clock kept accurate?
- Does the system keep an audit log of exports and logins?
- Can you give me an installation record that lists camera locations?
- How many days does my system hold?
See our local pages for commercial camera installation in Brooklyn, security camera installation in Queens, security camera installation in Jersey City and our services page.
Want your system ready before a request arrives? Revolvis will walk the property with you and mark the spots.
14. A Checklist to Keep Handy
Print this and keep it near the recorder: who to call first (your attorney), who exports (one named person), how to save a clip, where exports are stored, how to log a request and a reminder never to delete footage once a demand or dispute is known. A calm routine makes a stressful letter easier to handle.
15. If You Rent or Manage for Someone Else
Tenants and managers often receive these demands for cameras they do not own. If the system belongs to the building owner or a management company, tell them immediately and send them a copy of the paperwork, since they may have to respond and may have their own counsel. Do not export from a system you are not authorized to use. If you are the owner but an installer or IT vendor maintains the recorder, call them the same day so they can help you preserve and export correctly, and ask them to write down what they did and when. Having a vendor's note about how the footage was pulled can make the export easier to rely on later.
More From Revolvis
Cameras are one layer of a secure property. The same in-house crew also handles the rest:
- Keyless entry installation and smart lock installation
- Access control systems and commercial access control
- Video doorbells and intercoms
- Alarm system installation
- Complete unified security
Learn more about Revolvis, meet the team, see all services, browse the blog or contact us.
Areas We Serve
Revolvis installs residential and commercial camera systems across the New York metro area. Every borough and county has its own building stock, rules and wiring challenges, so the plan for a Queens two-family is not the plan for a Manhattan co-op.
- Staten Island: houses, detached garages and shop fronts. See security camera installation in Staten Island.
- Brooklyn: brownstones, row houses and storefronts. See security camera installation in Brooklyn.
- Queens: attached brick homes, two-families and busy commercial strips. See security camera installation in Queens.
- The Bronx: pre-war buildings, bodegas and warehouses. See security camera installation in the Bronx.
- Manhattan: co-ops, condos, offices and retail. See security camera installation in Manhattan.
- Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County.
- New Jersey: Jersey City, Newark, Hoboken and nearby towns.
The full list is on the service areas page.
Get a Custom Quote After a Site Visit
Revolvis prices every job after a site visit, because the building sets the cost as much as the equipment does. A few things make the estimate faster and more accurate:
- The address and property type: house, apartment, co-op, condo, storefront or warehouse.
- Which doors, sides and areas you want covered, and what worries you most.
- Photos of those spots and any spots where you already have cabling or power.
- How many days of footage you want to keep and whether you want to watch on your phone.
- Any landlord, board, lender or insurer requirement.
Call 347-258-9165 or use the contact page to book a site visit. The quote you receive is written and itemized, so you can compare it line by line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if I get a subpoena for footage? Preserve the footage so it is not overwritten, note the deadline and call an attorney.
Can I ignore a subpoena? No. Ignoring it can cause legal problems. Get advice promptly.
How much footage should I turn over? Only what the document covers, with your attorney's guidance.
Should I edit or clean up the video? No. Keep originals untouched and provide exports as advised.
What if the footage shows other people? Tell your attorney. They can advise about notice, redaction and handling.
Do I need to give the requester my recorder password? No. Export the footage yourself or with your installer's help.
Ready for a custom quote? Call Revolvis at 347-258-9165 for a site visit and a written, itemized estimate.
Safety note: A camera system supports, but does not replace, good locks, lighting, alarms and everyday habits. If you are in danger or witnessing a crime, call 911. Prices and legal summaries in this guide are general information for the New York metro area, not an offer or legal advice. A written quote after a site visit governs your actual price, and for legal questions you should confirm with the agencies linked in the article or a licensed attorney.