Should I hire a Private Investigator or a Process Server
Why Attorneys Should Hire Private Investigators
March 13, 2013
$19.95 Background Search, Good deal? Wrong!
March 17, 2015Should I hire a Private Investigator or a Process Server
Which should you hire a Private Investigator or a Registered Process Server?
Have you ever wondered why someone would hire a Private Investigator to serve documents? There are many instances where a Private Investigator can better serve your needs, but what if you need a Process Server to serve a Judgment Debtor Exam or other documents that require registration? Litigation Investigators offers trained Process Servers that are both on our investigation team and have been Registered Process Server licensing.
| Private Investigator | Both | Process Server |
| Licensed to secure evidence for use in court | Exempt from Vehicular Trespass PC 602(n) | Registered to serve documents on behalf of the court |
| Exempt from Registration – California Business & Professions Code 22350 (b)(4) | Exempt from Trespass California PC 602.8(c)(3) | Authority granted under – California Business & Professions Code 22351 (a)(4) |
| Can legally serve summonses, subpoenas, notices and small claims documents | May perform “Stakeout”surveillance & locate of subjects CC 1033.5 (4)(b) & B&P 7521 respectively | Can serve all court documents without restriction |
| May carry Firearms (if licensed) | Fees may be recoverable in judgment CC 1033.5 (4)(b) | May not carry Firearms |
| May utilize a uniform & utilize a badge [except under B&P 7539 (d)] | Plain Clothes | May utilize a uniform & utilize a badge |
| Can access restricted information &databases | Can Levy Accounts/Property Seizure | |
| Higher Cost (25-50% more) |
Limited database & skip tracing access | |
| 6,000 Hours Required Training & Testing prior to licensing | No required testing or training | |
| Specialty Equipment for Surveillance (Spy Gear) | Limited mostly to binoculars. |