New York State Court Clerk Practice Exam

For a summons to be validly issued, it is essential that an index number be assigned to it. The index number serves as a unique identifier for the case within the court system and is crucial for tracking and managing the legal proceedings. This number facilitates the court's ability to organize and retrieve case files, ensuring that all documents related to the case are properly associated and accessible. Without this index number, the summons could be considered incomplete, and the court may not accept it for processing, potentially hindering the initiation of legal actions.

The other choices, while they may relate to the legal process, do not represent fundamental requirements for the validity of a summons. It is not necessary to name all potential witnesses in the summons, nor is a detailed complaint required at this stage. Additionally, while it is important to have the parties' addresses for contact purposes and court records, it is not explicitly required for the summons itself to be considered valid. Thus, the assignment of an index number is critical for the proper function of the court system and the issuance of summonses.