Are Process Servers Essential in the Legal Process

Published May 15, 2022 | By Accurate Serve Detroit

Have you heard of process servers before but don’t really understand what they do? Don’t worry, that’s how a lot of people feel. The only experience most of us have with process servers is through the movies, where they are depicted as disguise-wearing tricksters that lie, cheat, and steal to gain access to their intended target. In real life, the job is a little less adventurous.

Functions of a Process Server

A process server simply delivers court case paperwork to an intended recipient. This delivery is typically in person, but can sometimes be via mail, online, or other means. The court case paperwork that process servers deliver includes:

Summons
Complaints
Subpoenas
Writs
Orders
Notices

Process servers often perform other legal services in addition to serving process, such as document retrievals, skip traces, and diligent searches.

How is Delivering Court Documents Essential to the Legal System?

All of the court documents that process servers deliver provide valuable information to the recipient. For example, a summons and complaint notifies someone that they are being sued, what the suit is alleging, and when and where to appear for court. Without this notification from the process server, the person being sued might not learn about their upcoming court date. If a defendant does not show up for a scheduled court date a default judgment may be ordered for the plaintiff, potentially costing the defendant thousands of dollars, damage to their reputation, and years of work to recover.

The notification that process servers provide is also a fundamental part of the American legal system, as it is required by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution’s “Due Process Clause”. This clause basically states that the government (both state and federal) cannot deprive “any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” That “due process of law” includes adequate time for defendants to prepare for their upcoming court dates, which is what process servers provide.

Quality Process Servers in Detroit

If you need a skilled, reliable process server in Detroit, look no further than the team here at Accurate Serve®. Call us at (313) 385-3703 or send us a work request online to get started today.