Private investigation work isn’t always about tracking down witnesses or cracking cases. Some of the work a private detective takes on is a lot more mundane, but still important to legal proceedings in a case. Process service is a good way for private detectives to supplement their case assignments and bolster their income. Although for some it can be a dedicated career path, it’s often an additional service provided by investigators.
So, what exactly does a process server do? According to Private Investigator Info, a process server is “a dedicated judicial services professional who specializes in delivering legal documents to their intended recipients.” They are responsible for delivering official papers, including subpoenas, writs, summonses, judgments, affidavits and orders for the court system, attorneys and parties to a litigation.
It is incredibly important for anyone working as a process server to fully understand and comply with the laws of their region. Every region has its own regulations and rules about who can be a process server. Most times, there are also rules about credentials a process server must obtain and maintain in order to do this work. Without a license, a process server’s actions could make service null and void, potentially causing huge ramifications for the server and their client.
Some of the standard criteria to become a process server include obtaining a license, being over the age of 18, not being affiliated with the action taking place and finally, signing a notarized affidavit upon completion of service. This signed document details when, where, how and to whom the documents were delivered and is a legal document that must be filed with the court of jurisdiction. For this reason, clients are always advised to hire a licensed process server who knows the do’s and don’ts of their particular region.
You might be asking, what’s the connection between a process server and a private investigator? If everything goes according to plan, the process service can be fairly straightforward. But when someone tries to run or hide from a server, things get tricky. A private detective will escalate tactics in order to find their target, including surveillance, trailing, skip tracing or full background checks. These are all tactics private detectives use every day in their work, so if a private detective wants to find you to serve papers, they will.
For more information about process services that CIAPI offers for the St. Louis area, contact us here.
Source: Private Investigator Info