Everybody knows how complicated our legal system is. A typical court case will involve a lot of paperwork and red tape, and many of the documents are just too important to risk being lost in the mail. To keep everything running smoothly, it falls upon Process Servers to make sure the information is hand-delivered to the people who need it. Although this may seem straightforward, it isn’t always as easy as it appears.
Daily Challenges Facing Process Servers
If everything goes smoothly, a Process Server will go to a person’s home or business to deliver the paperwork, and then make a report to the appropriate court official. Sometimes however, the defendant can’t be found and must be located first, requiring some detective work on the server’s part. Then, when the documents are actually delivered, a Process Server is never quite sure what they may encounter.
Although most people have respect for the system, others may react with anger, indignation, or resentment. There have been many cases of people losing their temper and becoming violent when being served. In other cases, the defendant may have a thorough understanding of the law and use procedural loopholes to try and delay the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances, the job has to be done without breaking any laws and following a set of specific guidelines.
Is it Right for You?
To be an effective Process Server, it helps to have a calm demeanor, thick skin, and a clear understanding of the law. Some states require you to become licensed and bonded, while other areas permit anyone over the age of eighteen, who isn’t involved in the proceedings, to serve the notifications. Finally, just like any career related to the legal system, professionalism, ethics and reliability are also important parts of the role.
