What Arizona Process Servers Need To Do To Legally Serve Papers
Process serving is a challenging job. A process server is responsible for delivering court documents for a wide variety of legal cases. This can include delivering court paperwork to residences, businesses, and even prisons.
There are some common misconceptions that can make Mesa process serves confusing both for the person sending the court documents and the recipient of those documents. For example, many people associate court document delivery with movies or TV shows where a process server delivers a big envelope to someone’s doorstep with the dramatic proclamation, “You’ve been served!” and then walks away, leaving the recipient confused, angry, or in shock.
While this may be entertaining on the screen, it’s not what a court process server’s job actually looks like in reality. There are a number of legal requirements that must be followed. If these legal requirements are not observed, there could be a number of consequences, such as a delay in trial or increased legal fees for the client. A judge could throw out the case altogether. The process servers themselves could even be sued.
It’s critical that process servers are respectful toward the people they are serving and that they act with professionalism and integrity. Occasionally, process serving companies in Arizona need to go to significant lengths to deliver court documents. Since the person receiving court documents sometimes knows they are coming, they make themselves difficult to find or refuse to comply with the process. It can be a real challenge for the process server to make contact with the recipient or for the recipient to comply with the simple process of acknowledging and signing once the paperwork has been delivered. In order to avoid breaking the law, a legal process server will need to understand the local and state regulations that govern court filing service. Read on to learn more about what a child custody process server needs to do in order to legally serve papers.
1. Be Fully Aware of Laws and Rules
This may seem simple, but it’s critically important that a child support process server fully understands the rules, laws, and practices in the state they work in. Each state has its own guidelines related to the court document delivery process, such as barred days, who can accept service, how the serving must be done, and much more. If a server needs to cross state lines to deliver papers, they should be sure to verify the laws in the new state as they may be significantly different from the state they normally work in.
2. Avoid the Mailbox
Of course, it’s not a crime to see the addresses and house numbers posted to most people’s mailboxes or to use those numbers to verify you’re at the right residence. However, essentially everything else involving the mailbox is off limits to a divorce process server. Avoid touching the mailbox or the mail inside, even if it’s in plain sight. Never leave papers in the mailbox, since it’s actually federal property and not the correct or legal way to serve papers.
3. Be Authentic and Honest
Being a process server is serious business! Since some people may not want to receive papers or just avoid opening their door to strangers in general, subpoena process servers must sometimes take extreme measures to get the job done and reach the correct individual. While this requires creativity, it can never include acting or impersonation; a court process server must always be honest about who they are. A Mesa process server is not a law enforcement officer or government official, and it is always illegal to impersonate one. The legal process can be hindered if a court filing service does their job incorrectly.
4. Stay Out Unless Invited In
This is good etiquette in general, but don’t enter someone’s home without invitation. Not only is it rude and unprofessional, but it can potentially escalate a volatile situation even further. It’s also trespassing, which is entering someone’s property without permission, and is actually illegal. These kinds of actions will make court document delivery more difficult for everyone involved. A personal injury process server may also be legally required to serve publicly.
Hire a Professional Process Serving Company
Process serving is not an easy job, and hiring the right process serving company can make all the difference. If you need papers served, contact ASAP Serve, LLC. Our three step process keeps things simple for you. You can be assured that we will keep you updated on the status of your serve. As one of the top legal process servers in Arizona, we are dedicated to serving your documents professionally, legally, and efficiently. Contact ASAP Serve, LLC to talk with one of our friendly and helpful customer service representatives and get your serve started today!
