The Life of a Process Server

A man delivers papers to the person holding the camera. Court proceedings move forward every day. Similarly, the legal system needs to notify people of a requirement to appear in court or to take note of legal action taking place. The people who make contact with the persons of interest are process servers. Servers have an essential and sometimes precarious role to fill, but what does it look like as it plays out daily?

This post will focus on the work of process servers and, though there is no “normal” day, we will take you through what a standard day might include.

What is a Process Server

Let’s begin with the job of a process server. Many stakeholders can hire a process server, including a private investigator’s firm, an attorney, a legal services company, a process server company, and more. The goal of a process server is to locate and deliver documents to people involved in legal actions. Some of these actions include notices to witness, summons, and subpoenas.

People need first to be served with legal documents before the courts can require them to appear. For this reason, servers are an integral part of the legal system. Delays in proceedings can mean extra costs or the justice process being disturbed.

Locating individuals is the first step. Sometimes this is an impossible or near impossible task if the individual is in hiding. Once found, the professional server follows a specific legal process to respect several overlapping laws.

A Day in the Life of a Process Server

A process server may have different focuses at different times, from research to stakeouts to delivery to filing paperwork. Each day may hold a different focus.

The process server will typically have a list of people they try to locate on a given day. In most cases, the server has discretion on how to locate and approach an individual.

A process server will be on the road for much of their working hours. Their hours will vary depending on how straightforward it was to find someone. People react in many different ways when served with legal papers. At times, their reactions can be aggressive or violent, both verbally and physically. A process server must use de-escalation techniques to defuse situations and keep everyone safe.

How to Become a Process Server

There are some standard requirements for being a process server. Most employers will require you to have a high school diploma or a GED (a high school equivalency certification known as the General Education Development Test). You typically will need to be a legal adult (18 years old), a US citizen, and have a driver’s license with a good record. Working with a professional organization such as Same Day Process Service headquartered in the DC area will make sure you have steady work with the structure you need to be successful.

Learn more about serving processes with Same Day Process Service by clicking here or contact us today to send a job.

5 Tips For Being a Better Process Server

Just like people, not every process service is the same. Some people are harder to hand papers off to than others. Many defendants believe that avoiding a process server means their legal troubles go away (this is false). This myth leads some people...

A Story of Patience and Persistence

The doctor we were trying to serve had been an enigma for over a month. Our servers made several unsuccessful attempts to serve him at his office in White Plains, MD. His door was always locked and no sound heard from within. The receptionist in the...

"Known to Serve the Impossible" - The Frank Fitzsimmons Service

Many years ago, when I owned San Diego Attorney Service, I was contacted by the president of a national trucking magazine who informed me that they had been trying for more than a year to personally serve Frank Fitzsimmons, the boss of the Teamsters...

Same Day Process Service: Open for Business During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Despite these challenging times, we want to let you know that we’re taking additional steps to ensure that we continue to deliver fast and accurate results, even through COVID-19-related court closures and shelter in place...

How to Become a Successful Mobile Notary

Helping people is a great way to make a living. Mobile notaries have the chance to meet new people they will help daily. If you need a career that constantly changes pace so you won’t get bored, being a mobile notary may be for...

Differences Between TV Portrayals of Process Servers vs Real Life

Every year there are millions of court cases filed by attorneys and individuals in the United States. These high numbers mean that service of process/the notification system for people involved in a case is something that happens often. So, it is no...

How to Avoid Breaking the Law as a Process Server

Process servers have a tough job. They are responsible for delivering court documents to people. Many people being served have misconceptions that challenge the delivery process. Knowing the rules based on local and state laws is important for...

Do Employers Need to Allow Processes to be Served at Work?

Updated: August 8th 2024 Many people try to keep their personal and professional lives separate. While some people may discuss interest in TV shows and what their kids are doing after school, most will not discuss major issues in their personal...

Can I Avoid Being Served?

If you know you will be sued, do yourself a favor and DO NOT try to avoid the server. Many people think it’s a good idea - if they avoid the server, then they can prevent the case from moving forward. In reality, when a person physically...

4 Benefits of Using a Process Server for Eviction Notices

Dealing with troublesome tenants is a complicated and often precarious position. There are legal processes that must be respected to avoid problems in the future. A process server can help apartment management or a landlord in delivering legal...

The Must-Know Rules for Serving Processes on Holidays

The task of serving process involves many considerations that most people don’t consider. A server must be fair, firm, and respectful. They must think of their own safety while also making the individual they serve to feel calm. To effectively...

How to Serve Processes to Military Members

Members of the United States military often put their lives on the line to defend their country and its assets. Sometimes the courts will need to provide written documents to these active duty individuals for several reasons including a summons to...

Respecting the Rights of Hospital Patients While Serving Processes

Process serving is never an easy job. Most of the challenge comes in locating the individual who needs to be given papers. The problem gets more complicated when the person is at a high-security location. It is not against the law to serve...

Prepare for Process Serving Wearing a Body Camera

A process server’s job is not easy. Servers deliver a summons to many folks who would prefer not to receive the court documents. As with most sectors, advances in technology have been and will continue to disrupt the process...

The Most Common Types of Affidavits

An Affidavit is a written testimony given under oath. Affidavits are only valid when given freely, without any coercion. To provide a legal affidavit, an individual needs to be of sound mind (lucid) and typical of legal age (over 18). The...

Tips for Staying Safe While Process Serving

Process serving is a necessary role that helps the legal system running efficiently. As beneficial as this role is, it also involves some inherent safety risks. There are safety concerns with many jobs, but a process server can interact with a...

Getting The Most Out Of Your Process Server

Many firms use process servers to deliver legal notices. When they are contracting with a private process server, there are some things that can make the whole process more efficient. No matter how busy a process server is, there are still ways to...

What Is A Sting Operation?

Sting operations are potentially valuable tools used in law enforcement and some government agencies. Sting operations are tools used by local, state, federal and international agencies often working together on resolving the commission of illegal...

Everything You Need To Know About Skip Tracing

Skip tracing involves locating someone. Most entrepreneurs, debt collectors, and investigators apply it regularly. Typically, private investigators handle numerous skip-tracing lawsuits each year. Read on to learn more about skip tracing, its...

Page: 1 234 5 6 - All