Process servers are the backbone of the legal world, an often overlooked profession. The short answer to the responsibilities of a process server is the delivery of legal documents to concerned parties. But that’s not all this job entails.
It is a known fact that the legal system can be challenging to navigate, whether due to bureaucracy or the rules and regulations put in place. An entire procedure results in eligibility for becoming a certified process server in Florida. So, what does the role of a process server entail? In this article, we explain this matter in depth.
Serving Legal Documents
Everyone knows of the minor character in a movie delivering the divorce papers to the main character. Those divorce papers can also be an eviction notice, a court summons, restraining orders, or even an unidentified legal document that needs signing. This is the primary role of a process server.
A common question then gets raised on whether those legal documents can be delivered by anyone or arrive in the mail – the answer varies. While some documents can be mailed, several states (including Florida) require specially trained personnel to carry out these sensitive deliveries.
Ensuring Delivery
More often than not, certain complications arise during process delivery. A recipient may change their address or, in sporadic cases, they might take extra precautions to evade the serving document. One example is a witness going into hiding or a suspect for an ongoing case trying to dodge a court summon. These are the more extreme cases, but process serving involves much research on the recipient from private and public databases.
Once the recipient is tracked down, the server’s next step is to reach them. Once found, a server is legally obligated to confirm the recipient’s identity and then announce their identity and purpose (serving a legal document). In some cases, the recipient needs to sign that they’ve received the summon or subpoena.
Providing Proof of Service
Once the delivery has been made, the next step of a process server is to notify all parties involved. This includes the legal entities involved, such as the lawyer (or lawyers) and the court. This is a necessary part of legal bureaucracy to ensure the system works properly.
A common question is what can be done should a recipient refuse the delivered document. The answer to this varies between states. Some states consider a document delivered even if the process server leaves it on their doorstep after the recipient has refused it. This then puts the responsibility entirely on the recipient and whether they will carry out the action requested in that document.
Looking for a Certified Process Server in Florida?
Service of Process is an integral part of Due Process and a vital aspect of the US legal system. Process servers are the backbone of this system and have strict and thorough criteria for being a certified process server in Florida.
So does Absolute Services – our team of certified process servers are efficient communicators, trained professionals in their field ready to help in multiple legal matters, not just service of process. We handle court filings and have a dedicated PI team to assist with discreet issues. Contact our professionals today for a legal service that goes a long way.
