Tracking people and delivering documents sounds easy, doesn’t it? But is it actually that simple? Well, I don’t think so, for the simple reason that if it were easy, we would have more process servers. I know many people who want to enter this profession but aren’t too confident about whether they would be any good. Well, I have got some good news for you. Recently, I spoke to Dr. John Patrick Keefe, who is one of the most experienced process servers in OKC. We discussed the ins and outs of their profession, and it gave me a great deal of insight.
Today, I will share some of the doctor’s most helpful tips, hoping that they help you build a successful process serving career.
You Need To Become A Chameleon
Do you want to have a fair shot at succeeding as a process server in Oklahoma City? If so, Dr. John says that you need to be a master of disguise. Defendants do everything possible to make sure you can’t find them. And even if you do, they will try their best to avoid receiving the documents. I can’t begin to imagine the frustration people face when experiencing these things. It’s no wonder why so many people abandon their process serving careers early.
However, I am here to tell you that you don’t have to choose the same route. As Dr. John Patrick Keefe says, “become a chameleon,” Because once you do, serving legal documents becomes a lot easier. When the defendant can’t tell who is knocking at their door, your chances of a successful delivery become higher. Dr John never shied away from wearing fake mustaches, prosthetics, or costumes during their career. It’s what gave him such a long and illustrious process serving career.
There Are Multiple Ways To Deliver The Documents
Beginners often assume that they have to serve court documents physically. I don’t know where people get this idea from. Yes, you don’t have to put the documents in the defendant’s hands. Since most of them try to be sneaky, they will avoid you like the plague. Thankfully, you can choose other ways to deliver your documents. For instance, John Patrick Keefe often emailed the documents to hard-to-reach defendants. And if the doctor wanted to be extra sure, he served them through public notification in the newspaper.
So yes, you don’t always need to act like a private investigator from Enid, OK to serve process. The methods I mentioned would be effective too. And, if you’re confident that a defendant lives at a particular place, you can always nail the documents on their door.
Protect Yourself At All Times
I understand that process serving duties come with their fair share of risks. But that does not mean putting yourself in harm’s way. Unfortunately, I see many people risking their well-being to deliver documents by going to dangerous locations. Dr. John Patrick Keefe, an experienced process server from Tulsa, OK, always prioritizes their safety. It’s what helped them gain such longevity in this field.
I would strongly recommend following in the doctor’s footsteps. So what if you couldn’t deliver the documents because of a safety risk? At least you will live to fight another day! Whenever you notice red flags when delivering documents, think about your safety first. And, if you decide to continue with the delivery, consider prepping before you set out. Carrying pepper spray would help. You could also get a concealed carry permit for extra safety. And most important of all, make sure to share your location with someone. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Your Career Isn’t Always On The Line
It’s sad to see many process servers doing their duties in a constant state of anxiety. After speaking to some of them, I learned that they are worried they are going to the wrong or false address. If that’s the source of your anxiety too, let me put your mind to rest. Going to the wrong address will not cost you your job. If anything, it will make life even more difficult for the defendant you were going to deliver the documents to. As long as you visit the wrong address in good faith, the courts will enter a default judgment against the defendant.
You could always hire a reliable skip tracer from Norman, OK, to find the defendant. But know that if your attempts aren’t successful, your job will be safe.
Prepare For The Unexpected
Serving legal documents is not for the faint of heart. Dr. John Patrick Keefe made that abundantly clear during our conversation. They told me that you need to be ready for the unexpected when serving court documents. Why? Because the people you will mostly visit won’t be your ordinary, everyday people. There will be drug abusers, people with violent tendencies, criminal backgrounds, and whatnot.
So, before you knock on their doors, make sure that you prepare accordingly. As I mentioned earlier, your safety comes first. And if you don’t think you have the stomach to visit shady, seedy people, I wouldn’t recommend this line of work.
Your Process Serving Career Awaits
Ready to become the best process server in Lawton, OK and other areas? If so, I hope you follow the tips I share in this article. They come from one of the best to do it, so make sure to follow them to a T. If you want to learn more about this field, please feel free to check out our website’s blog section. And, if you have any questions about our services, please email us. Our team of representatives is always ready to respond!
