What Types of Documents Do Process Servers Serve?
You have the right to due process in the United States if you are involved in a court proceeding. Due process ensures you will be treated fairly by the legal system. Another part of that due process is to be notified about any upcoming hearings or court dates with enough time for the defendant to prepare a defense. Process servers make sure all parties relevant to a case are notified of the request for their appearance in court with ample time to prepare.
Documents that a process server delivers for a court case are collectively known as process. The process can include a variety of documents from different court proceedings. The most common types of process served by process servers include complaints, summons, subpoenas, and writs.
Complaints
An official complaint details everything about the claim against a defendant or defendants. On a complaint document, you will find the names and addresses of all parties involved in the court proceedings, including any businesses names or addresses. The complaint will also name any witnesses or experts the plaintiff intends to subpoena. The complaint is served to the defendant(s), along with a summons to court.
Summons
A summons notifies a defendant or defendants of the date, time, and location of their upcoming court appearance. While this is a mandatory appearance, the defendant may request that the date be rescheduled, or send a paid attorney in their stead.
Subpoenas
A subpoena is a court order mandating a specific person to appear in court on a certain date. Witnesses and other experts that will be called to testify in a case are commonly served with subpoenas. Not appearing in court when directed to by a subpoena can land you in jail for contempt of court.
Writs
A writ is an order by a court that is issued for many court cases and situations. A summons is a type of writ. Some other types of writs you may encounter are:
- Writ of habeas corpus
- Writ of mandamus
- Writ of possession
- Writs of execution
- Writ of attachment
- Warrants for the arrest of a person or persons (always served by law enforcement officers in Florida)
No matter what types of cases you handle, the experts here at Accurate Serve have the experience and knowledge necessary to serve your process quickly and in compliance with Florida state laws. We help law firms keep their cases on time and within budget with reliable prompt process service from certified, professional servers. If you need a process server in Plantation, Key West, Miami, or West Palm Beach, visit www.accurateserveplantation.com to find the contact info for your local office. Need quality process service outside of southern Florida? Visit theaccurateservefranchise.com for a map of our offices nationwide.