01/21/2020
Deliver Legal Documents
The central duty of a process server is delivering various legal documents by hand to individuals involved with court cases. These documents can range from summons and subpoenas to restraining orders. In this aspect of the role, the process server needs verbal confirmation that the recipient is the individual named in the legal document before serving the papers. They then must collect the individual’s signature to confirm receipt of the document.
Locate Individuals to be Served
Another major part of a process server’s job is locating individuals involved in court cases, typically using public records databases to identify their current whereabouts and contact information. In many cases, defendants and other individuals involved in cases may leave town or attempt to avoid the process server, in which case they need to use other methods to track down the individual’s location.
Maintain Delivery Records
Process servers also need to maintain accurate delivery records for all documents they handle, including records of signatures. This part of the job is vital, since improperly recorded deliveries may result in a case being thrown out of court on a technicality. Additionally, process servers may need to prepare reports related to their deliveries for use by lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals.
Collaborate with Legal Professionals
Process servers work with a wide variety of legal professionals to support their activities. This can include many different tasks, ranging from collecting documents from lawyers to reviewing information about defendants and other involved parties. Process servers may work with lawyers to establish timelines for deliveries and determine each individual connected to a particular court case. They may need to present reports of their deliveries or (in rare cases) testify in court.
Adhere to Rules and Regulations
While locating individuals, delivering documents, and collecting signatures, process servers also need to ensure that they are following rules and regulations related to their duties. Process servers need to confirm that their locating and skip-tracing methods are within legal limits. They also need to follow rules for document presentation and signature collection, such as making sure that the recipients verbally identify themselves to prevent court cases being thrown out.
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Required skills
Attention to detail – this role requires excellent attention to detail, since process servers need to ensure that documents reach the correct recipients and that they maintain accurate records
Communication skills – process servers should be strong written and verbal communicators, since they work with legal professionals and individuals involved in court cases
Research skills – in this role, process servers frequently need to locate individuals to deliver documents, so they should have strong research skills and be able to locate correct and current information
Record-keeping skills – process servers also need to maintain accurate records of document deliveries and may also need to submit these records to lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals
Reliable transportation - by it's very nature, process service involves a high degree of driving inside Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee Counties.
