Process servers have critical roles in the American legal system in making court documents available to defendants. Furthermore, many defendants avoid process servers actively with the goal of avoiding legal proceedings indefinitely. In addition, evasive defendants mistakenly assume that by evading service, lawsuits do not move forward. Additionally, the process servers make use of some clever tricks to fool the defendants and complete the successful service. Therefore, this blog uncovers seven legal tricks that process servers use to fool defendants. Furthermore, these tactics are still legal if process servers adhere to strict rules and regulations concerning ethics. Moreover, process servers should be able to identify defendants properly and deliver documents without coercion or deceit.
Understanding Defendant Non-Service of Process
Defendants do not want to face a court overlooking the subtleties of the process of service. Defendants try to avoid service for several reasons, such as lack of money and fear. Furthermore, they may not have funds for legal representation or be afraid of dire consequences. Moreover, some defendants use strategic delay to gain a tactical advantage in proceedings. Additionally, evasive defendants have a number of common tactics, such as skipping answering doors at residences. That is why they try to escape their homes and jobs when expecting process servers to arrive. Furthermore, defendants deny their identity when confronted, saying, “That’s not me!” Moreover, they conceal their appearance by wearing hats and sunglasses, which makes it more difficult to identify them. As well, defendants refuse to accept documents even if process servers have properly identified them.
Trick One: Man In Disguise as Delivery Drivers
Process servers often will disguise themselves as a food delivery driver, completing successful serves. Furthermore, impersonating a pizza delivery, Uber Eats, or DoorDash driver gets access effectively. Further, defendants willingly come to the doors, anticipating food deliveries instead of legal documents. Additionally, process servers are carrying pizza boxes or delivery bags that are completely authentic. Therefore, this is not a violation of the law as long as servers identify themselves properly. Furthermore, process servers cannot masquerade as anything other than the person or entity that actually made the call ever. Moreover, a Houston process server successfully dispensed divorce papers by means of this exact method. Additionally, the defendant signed a receipt of delivery and subsequently got his/her legal documents right away.
Trick Two: Disguising One’s Self as Maintenance or Construction Workers
Process servers wear maintenance worker or construction clothing that protects them in various environments. Furthermore, by serving with tool belts, hard hats, and work boots, servers make themselves seem non-threatening. Moreover, defendants presuppose the presence of the maintenance workers in residential or commercial buildings naturally. Additionally, this disguise is used by process servers to get access to gated communities and apartment complexes. Therefore, the security guards do not usually question the maintenance workers if they allow them access. Furthermore, defendants open doors for maintenance men without any suspicion or hesitation.
Trick Three: Posing as Flower or Gift Delivery Personnel
Process servers carry flower bouquets or gift packages, gaining the defendant’s trust immediately. Furthermore, defendants eagerly open doors expecting special deliveries from friends or family. Moreover, the excitement of receiving flowers makes the service easier by lowering the defendant’s guard. In addition to this, process servers buy cheap bouquets create authentic looks without major expenses. Therefore, defendants go along willingly by identifying themselves by accepting flowers before receiving legal documents. Furthermore, this method works particularly well in the holiday season and the birthday season.
Trick Four: Scheduling the Appointments With Evading Professionals
Process servers make appointments with doctors, dentists, or medical professionals without any service. Furthermore, pretending to be a prospective patient or client, opportunities are provided to gain access to private offices. Moreover, evasive professionals must be seen by scheduled appointments while business is going on. In addition, difficult doctors were successfully served with process servers by DGR Legal using this method. Therefore, the use of appointments helps ensure that defendants show up at a specific time and a particular location as is predictable. Furthermore, the professionals cannot skip the appointment without significantly damaging their business reputations.
Trick Five: Using Social Media Intelligence For Strategic Timing
Process servers keep track of the defendant’s social media discovery locations, schedule, and events coming up. Furthermore, posts on the social media platforms Facebook and Instagram display vacations, concerts, and public gatherings. Additionally, defendants include postings of real-time updates that enable process servers to find them easily. As well as waiting at airports for defendants to return from such vacations, they posted. Therefore, social media intelligence offers precise timings for successful attempts to offer service. Furthermore, defendants unwittingly give out their whereabouts through constant habits of posting on social media.
Trick Six: Performing Discreet Surveillance at Frequent Locations
Process servers do surveillance at gyms, restaurants, and places where defendants frequently visit. In addition, servers also wear suitable clothes that seamlessly blend into each particular environment. In addition, wearing gym clothes at gyms is a way to prevent the appearance of process servers. Additionally, servers observe the movements of the defendant to confirm their identity before approaching for service. Therefore, surveillance enables process servers to make appropriate decisions on when to deliver documents. Furthermore, advanced equipment in the form of long-range cameras captures evidence verifying the identity of the defendant. More so, the presence of hidden body cameras documents full-fledged service encounters to protect servers from false accusations.
Trick Seven: Representing Defendants at Court Hearing
Process servers scour court records for defendants having upcoming court hearings or court dates. Furthermore, defendants must appear at court proceedings on schedule for other legal cases. Moreover, process servers wait outside the courtrooms serving defendants as they exit hearings. In addition, servers recognize defendants as they leave the office of their attorney after consultations and meetings. Therefore, court proceedings offer guaranteed opportunities in which defendants are required to be physically present. Furthermore, this is an extremely effective method in dealing with chronically evasive defendants evading homes.
Legal Boundaries Process Servers Need to Respect
Process servers need to comply strictly with the law and ethics when tricks are being used. Furthermore, servers cannot impersonate police officers or government officials in any circumstances. Moreover, it is illegal in all fifty states to pretend to be law enforcement. Additionally, process servers cannot use false pretenses to obtain information from third parties. Therefore, they are not able to break into private accounts or get into other people’s property without permission. Further, servers cannot use physical force or coercion in attempting service of documents. Moreover, harassment in the form of stalking or excessive contact is still very strictly prohibited by law. Furthermore, breaking the privacy rights or blocking the driveway constitutes illegal acts against servers.
What Includes These Tricks in their Legality and Effectiveness
Process servers can use any creative tricks as long as they are truthful. Furthermore, servers should be able to properly identify defendants and deliver lawful, legitimate documents. Moreover, disguises are still legal if servers answer questions honestly after having completed service. In addition, process servers commonly give their names and licensing information after serving. Therefore, transparency following service is what sets legal tactics apart from illegal deception and fraud. Furthermore, good process servers are based on preparation, timing, and legal knowledge. Moreover, successful servers do not resort to deception as they employ crafty tactics within legal boundaries.
Conclusion
Process servers use seven clever tricks to tricks defendants of service avoiding successfully. Furthermore, some of these legal tactics are disguises, surveillance, social media intelligence, and timing. Moreover, process servers must respect legal boundaries, avoiding impersonation and performing illegal activities. In addition, defendants cannot avoid legal proceedings by evading process servers indefinitely. Therefore, professional process servers apply service through persistence and creative methods, eventually to complete service. The professional process servers today offer reliable legal document delivery services for you. Our experienced process servers have legal tactics for locating and serving evasive defendants. Contact us to discuss your process servers to get your service carried out effectively. Contact us to discuss your process serving needs and get your service carried out effectively. Our experienced process servers employ legal tactics to locate and serve evasive defendants. We provide reliable legal document delivery services for all your process serving needs.
