Is a process server looking for you as the result of a court case or lawsuit? Are you wondering what a process server may do to locate and serve you? We’ll go through what a process server is, some of the most popular techniques they use to find their target, and what isn’t allowed in this post.
What Does a Process Server Do?
A process server is an individual who delivers legal papers to someone else, usually through personal delivery or mail. If possible, the process server should try to deliver the document in person. The process server may seek permission to serve the recipient by alternative methods if the recipient is unable to be reached after many attempts.
What Can a Process Servers Do to Find You?
Process servers have a lot of leeway in terms of what they can do to serve people with court documents. The following are just a few examples of what a process server might try while attempting to deliver legal papers:
Contact People You Know
If a process server is looking for you, your friends or family may be contacted. The process server will inform them who they are and why they’re looking for you. They’ll ask your friends or family members for your contact information or directions to where you can be found.
Show Up Where You Hang Out
In order to deliver you a legal document, a process server may visit any addresses associated with you. This includes your home address, employment address, or any other place where you are known to frequent.
Call Your Boss
In Florida, a process server is legally permitted to notify your employer that you are being served and hand off the case to them. You are deemed served after your employer accepts the paperwork.
Browse Your Social Media
All of your secrets will be revealed on social media. Servers have gotten very good at surprising people when they least expect it, thanks to social media in the past years. Due to geolocation, as well as other features, finding someone who uses their social media posts is simple.
Deny Your Refusal
Even if the recipient of the process refuses to accept it, a process server may declare that they have been served. This is true even if the person being served does not touch the paperwork. The server must make a good effort to establish the recipient’s identity and inform them that they are being served. Then the server can leave the process even if the recipient doesn’t accept it.
What is Not Allowed
Despite the fact that servers are permitted to carry out a variety of activities while looking for a process recipient, they may not participate in certain activities. Process servers should not:
Deceit
This is a major concern for process servers, as any kind of deception represents an ethical breach that may lead to their certification being revoked. Lying, omitting pertinent information, and donning disguises are all examples of unethical behavior. It’s not only an ethics violation to impersonate a police officer or other public figure; it might also result in jail time.
Crime
Legal process servers must follow all laws when serving papers. If they break the law, they may be arrested and charged with a crime. This will jeopardize their jobs and possibly risk their certification.
Sunday Service
It is not legal to serve a summons or other legal documents on Sunday in Florida (except in unusual cases and only with the permission of a judicial officer before the Sunday service attempt is made).
Substitution
According to Florida law, the paperwork must be delivered to just the individual specified in the document and no one else. If the server has attempted numerous times and been unable to locate the person listed in various locations, a judge may accept that the process was passed on to a competent caregiver. This is called Service by Substitution and must be approved ahead of time.
Publication
In the event that the recipient of the procedure cannot be identified, and the process server has exhausted all possibilities, they may publish the papers in public places like a local newspaper. This is known as Service by Publication, and to do so, you must first obtain permission from a court.
Reliable Process Servers in Detroit
The servers at Accurate Serve® of Detroit know the techniques to get the job done. Call (313) 385-3703 or send us a work request online to get started today!
