You’ve probably seen dramatic movie scenes involving process servers who serve papers in the midst of an important event or by impersonating the pizza delivery person. These tactics make great drama on the big screen, but in real life, process servers have specific rules they must follow while delivering service of process.
No Opening Mailboxes
Although process servers are tasked with delivering papers, they are not permitted to open a recipient’s mailbox and place the papers inside manually. In fact, the mailbox as a whole is off-limits.
Instead, process servers must physically present the documents to the recipient or an allowed substitute. Most states allow process servers to leave the papers with a competent adult at the residence, as long as the person is 18 years or older and understands the significance of the papers.
Never Enter a Home or Building Without Permission
It goes without saying that breaking and entering are against the law, even for a process server. This is part of what makes the job of a process server so demanding: papers can only be served by speaking to and handing papers to the subject after seeing at or outside the door of their property.
Do Not Impersonate Law Enforcement
It might be easier for a police officer or other court official to force somebody to open the front door, which is exactly why process servers are not permitted to impersonate others. It is illegal for a process server to claim to be a member of law enforcement to compel somebody to open the door.
Stakeouts Are Okay
Some people really want to avoid service of process. They may hideout or use evasion tactics to escape process servers at all costs. In these situations, process servers are allowed to get creative and perform stakeouts at different locations until they can make contact with the individual in question.
As long as the process server is not harassing the recipient, these methods are allowed. This may involve waiting outside the home or business of the person, waiting for him to exit. Some process servers also wait in front of the homes of known friends or family members.
If you need to send service of process for your own purposes, contact Accurate Serve of Pensacola to learn more. Accurate Serve is Florida’s premier private process server company devoted to meeting all the clients’ unique needs.
