Using a Process Server v.s. the Local Sheriff to Serve Papers
In Florida, you must hire either a certified private process server or local law enforcement to serve process in your court cases.
Some types of criminal process, like arrest warrants, must be served by a sheriff’s deputy to be valid. This is for obvious safety reasons. However, using a private process server to deliver the types of process which they are permitted to serve is a smart move. Here, we will discuss the benefits of hiring a private process server as opposed to using the local sheriff. Continue reading
November Newsletter 2021
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Serve Paper Safely with These Tips
It’s no secret that process serving can be a dangerous job. People often do not want to be served and take their anger out of the process server. This is usually in the form of some yelling or harsh words, but sometimes, things can turn violent. In the most extreme cases, process servers have lost their lives while working.
Protect yourself while serving process by following these tips for the best safety practices:
Do your research
You need to know as much as possible about the person you will be serving and the area you will be visiting. Plan your visit ahead of time by checking out public records, social media, and any other information you can gather from your client and the internet. Continue reading
October Newsletter 2021
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What Types of Papers are Served by Process Servers?
The main role of process servers is to make sure all parties relevant to a case are notified of the request for their appearance in court with ample time to prepare. For defendants, this means time to prepare a defense. For witnesses and other case parties, time to develop a cohesive testimony is crucial.
Process servers provide notification of upcoming hearings and other court dates by serving process, or court case documents, to all involved case parties. The process can include a variety of documents depending on the nature of the court case. The most common types of process served by process servers are complaints, summons, subpoenas, and writs. Continue reading
September Newsletter 2021
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Can a Process Server Deliver Court Papers Through Social Media?
Social media has become the information pipeline that keeps our world connected. Whether you love it or hate it, social media is an ever-growing phenomenon that makes staying in touch and doing business across the globe possible for everyone. But, is using social media an appropriate way to deliver legal documents?
Well, the answer is probably not. Social media has been used since its creation by process servers to investigate targets, make contact, and even set up in-person meetings. With the current uptick in interest in encrypted social media messaging, serving process via these channels may not be too far in the future. But for now, sending the actual process documents via social media messaging is not acceptable in almost all situations, mainly due to privacy issues, security flaws, and reliability concerns. Continue reading
August Newsletter 2021
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Reasons You Need a Process Server
You’ve done your research, gathered all the information you need and have finally filed your case with the local Clerk of Court. Now, it’s time to notify everyone with an interest in the case, including defendants, witnesses, and other experts you intend to call to the stand. These notifications are known as serving process. In Florida, you must use the sheriff’s office or a process server certified by the appropriate judicial circuit to serve process. All of our process servers at Accurate Serve in Pensacola are certified by Florida’s 1st Judicial Circuit, meaning we can legally serve process in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. Some of our servers can also serve process in other counties and states, which means we can handle your case no matter where the interested parties live or work. A few of the advantages of using one of our certified private process servers include: Continue reading
Spotting a Fake Process Server
You want the process server you use for your cases to follow all the rules here in Florida. You do not want to give the defendant any reason to claim improper service, which could cause delays, extra expenses, and possibly even a dismissal. Keep an eye out for these telltale signs of a fake process server:
Not certified
The state of Florida requires that all process servers be certified and approved by the judicial circuit in which they plan to work. Pensacola and Escambia county area in Florida’s 1st Judicial Circuit, along with Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton counties. Anyone attempting to serve process in these counties that are not listed on the 1st Judicial District approved process server list is acting fraudulently. Continue reading