What is the difference between hiring the sheriff or a private process server?

The American Constitution requires a right to officially inform every citizen before any legal proceeding of court within a reasonable time. To carry out the legal proceeding and understand the law better, the sheriff and private process server provide better support to the citizen.

In some states, the sheriff is an elected government official whose prime responsibility is to pursue outstanding laws and legal proceedings within their appointed jurisdiction. The scope of duties can differ from state to state, so it’s vital to familiarize yourself with the responsibilities of a sheriff in your area before appointing them as an agent for delivering legal documents.

On the other hand, a process server is someone who works to bring legal forms or court documents to defendants in a legal proceeding and someone who pulls and files those documents with the respective court system. Working with a private process server can be more beneficial than working with the local sheriff’s department.

Sheriff vs. Process Server: What's the Difference?

Choosing between sheriff and process server for the legal assistant can be challenging for people as they both are capable and addressing the legal needs efficiently. A survey of more than 100 legal professionals was carried out, which classified the private process servers and sheriffs based on their speed, service, and knowledge to understand the difference between both. Let’s go into details to find out which is better for serving legal documents.

Speed of Service

The primary job of the private process server is dealing with the delivery of legal documents and spending a big chunk of the day serving the duties regarding legal responsibilities. In contrast, sheriffs are a primary part of the legal system that deals with a bundle of responsibilities besides serving legal documents. Most of the time, the process remains at the bottom for the sheriff due to their significant number of other duties.

Sheriffs try to make their attempts during business hours as they have limited working hours. This time limit can be problematic as recipients are also working during normal business hours. In contrast, private process servers like JPS can make attempts outside of normal business hours and provide adequate service for a better turn-around.

In general, private servers provide better quality service than the sheriff. They are estimated to provide the service 9 out of 10 times faster than the sheriff.

Customer Service

Sheriffs are not members of a company, and they can never be part of any business. They do their jobs without answering your requests. Private process servers operate in a different way than sheriff works. In the process serving industry, the customer is always right, and even when questions may seem unnecessary, these pros will be prompt and responsive at all times.

If you would like to postpone a trial or move an extension of discovery, you’re going to need someone you can rely on who will be able to manage your case in a timely fashion. During personal injury cases, for example, where the matter is sensitive and delicate, clients may want to stay up-to-date with how things are progressing at any given moment.

This way, they can experience fast and convenient service of process that provides answers within minutes over the phone versus having to wait several days or longer to find out where things stand.

Knowledge of Laws

A private process server is responsible for following all the rules and laws and staying up to date with any changes or updates to do a smooth job. They are almost 58% more knowledgeable and know the law better than the sheriffs.

A sheriff’s job, on the other hand, is much more varied as they are responsible for evicting people from houses, moving prisoners to different locations, handling law infractions like citations and accidents, along with traffic control. They cannot devote all of their time strictly to process serving but must also stick to a schedule of these other responsibilities.

Success Rate

Most law firms had reported increasing success of almost 92% in their cases when they hired process servers instead of using the sheriff’s department. It happens because process servers have access to a veritable spectrum of resources that can aid in locating certain parties that are often difficult to find. Sheriffs will only make minimal attempts to locate someone due to severe time restrictions.

Private process servers will usually be very strategic in their attempts to find the individual they’re looking for. They may consult the services of a skip trace investigator, ask neighbors or look through places frequented by this person. Of course, they will always ask for permission from their clients before taking any extra steps like hiring a skip trace investigator or questioning neighbors as long as it is within their client’s limits.

Average Cost

When choosing whether to use a private process server or a sheriff, consider the similarities between these two options and where you may stand financially. The sooner the case progresses, the better for everyone involved, including your clients. If you choose a process server familiar with all relevant rules and laws, then both parties will have peace of mind knowing that the documents will be served according to the letter of the law. Additionally, private process servers complete their services expediently while most hiring sheriffs must await paperwork to come through on a slower timeline which could equate to weeks or months. For firms or legal professionals who want their service done quickly and capably, using a private process server like Judiciary Process Servers best fits their needs compared to sheriffs because they are rarely as responsive despite being busier than ever. Contact us today and let us show you the difference!

Making the Decision: Who is better?

Additionally, private process servers complete their services expediently while most hiring sheriffs must await paperwork to come through on a slower timeline which could equate to weeks or months. For firms or legal professionals who want their service done quickly and capably, using a private process server like Judiciary Process Servers best fits their needs compared to sheriffs because they are rarely as responsive despite being busier than ever. Contact us today and let us show you the difference!

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What is the difference between hiring the sheriff or a private process server?

What is the difference between hiring the sheriff or a private process server?

Sheriff vs. Process Server: What's the Difference?

Speed of Service

Customer Service

Knowledge of Laws

Success Rate

Average Cost

Making the Decision: Who is better?

Request a Free Quote

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