A judge may issue a summons for the attendance of a party, witnesses, or for the production of evidence in a case before the court. No judge may issue a blank summons. If a witness is summoned to attend a court and without sufficient excuse neglects to appear, he may be attached and fined an amount not exceeding $300. He is liable to answer the party for whom he was summoned in an action upon the case for the damage sustained for failure to appear to testify according to the summons.