Serving a Defendant in Small Claims

[edosan]

I am taking someone to small claims in Alhambra because that is the closest court where the transaction took place. However the Defendant lives in Hollywood 90038, who can I get to serve him?

[Timberwolf]

Civil Division of the LASD

[Ron-Solo]

Hollywood is covered by the LASD Field Office, Stanley Mosk County Courthouse, 110 N. Grand Av, Room 525, LA 90012. You can pay the fees at the Alhambra Courthouse Bailiff's Office and they will forward to the LA Office to avoid a trip downtown.

[CnCFunFactory]

I believe anyone who is not a party to the suit can serve the defendant... more enlightened and educated individuals may come a long with better answers but that is what I remember....

[Ron-Solo]

I believe anyone who is not a party to the suit can serve the defendant... more enlightened and educated individuals may come a long with better answers but that is what I remember....

That is true but often it is easier to pay a reasonable fee to get them served.

[Sh00tFurst]

You pay my time and gas. I'll do it.

Not holding my breath though.

[Bobula]

I was a private process server for years. Have a friend do it, and it should be substitutable

[RedFord150]

Hire a Process Server or Pay The Court Sheriff to do it. If anything is questionable about the service, the court will have some faith in a licensed process server or LEO. If your buddy did the service, they give the 'benefit of the doubt' to the defendant. The cost of the service is added to the judgment as a court cost.
Yes, I learned this the 'hard way'.
I appeared in small Claims in Alhambra last year. Hearing was scheduled in the morning, we were not called until after lunch. I think I spent 6 or 7 hours in court that day.

[Ron-Solo]

I appeared in small Claims in Alhambra last year. Hearing was scheduled in the morning, we were not called until after lunch. I think I spent 6 or 7 hours in court that day.

All the cases are usually scheduled for 0830 or 0900. Then they go thru the calendar until they get to everyone during the day. In 32 years of LE, I've found that court is usually an all day event.

[spegull03]

I hired a service company off craigslist for $30, and he did it the same day

[The Director]

I paid a process server $50 once. It was handled immediately and professionally.

[SMOKEYMOUNTAIN]

anybody can serve. any non-interested party of majority age can serve up to 25 times/year for any civil matter.

but as stated above, some judges can be picky about service requirements as it is a constitutionally protected procedural due process requirement.

so if this suit is important to you, i would have a sheriff serve.