What is the PAAPRS campaign?
The PAAPRS campaign is an initiative focused on raising awareness about process server assault and promoting regulations and law changes that further protect process servers. Association leaders and members of the profession have long-complained that assaults in the industry are not being reported or receiving the media coverage they deserve. PAAPRS plans to take on that issue by providing national coverage of incidents as well as becoming a resource for process servers to get educated and share their experiences.
With the Process Server Assault Map, helpful articles, videos, and other information, PAAPRS hopes to aid process servers in staying safe, sharing their stories, and bringing awareness to the hidden dangers in serving legal documents. Endorsed by several process server associations and built with the input of members of the profession, PAAPRS is here to support the industry in whatever way it can. Take a stand and show that you support process server safety by embedding the PAAPRS badge, displayed to the right, on your website.
Find out what you can do to get involved by contacting ServeNow today!
Map of Process Server Assaults
The Process Server Assaults Map
Part of the PAAPRS initiative is to raise awareness on process server assault across the country. The above map is a visual display of assaults that have made the news or incidents that have been submitted by individual process servers. If you have an assault you would like to submit, simply fill out the form to the right of the map. It may take a few days for the assault to show up, but we'll make sure it gets on the map. In addition, if your assault did not receive the media coverage it deserves, contact us at marketing@serve-now.com and we'll make sure your story is heard.
Importance of Reporting Assaults
Every process server who is assaulted should make a formal report of the incident--even if they choose not to press charges. Formal incident reports are permanent records and are valuable in displaying that this is a growing issue across the industry. Additionally, if your state association or lawmakers are pushing for stricter assault laws in regards to service of process, these reports may serve as key information to get those law changes finalized. If you are assaulted, make sure you contact the local authorities and ask about how to properly report the incident.
Resources
ServeNow has created a collection of resources for the PAAPRS campaign. These resources offer general advice and more specific actionable items to to raise assault awareness and to help prevent future assaults from possibly occurring. Process servers and association leaders across the country were consulted when compiling these resources.
Assault Legislation By State
Illinois, California, and Florida have passed laws further protecting process servers from assault. Other states have legislation proposed. Find out what's happening in your state.
What Association Leaders Say About Process Server Assault
We sat down with association leaders to find out their thoughts on assaults on process servers. See what industry leaders are saying.
Test Your Assault Prevention Knowledge
Think you know what it takes to prevent assault? Test your assault prevention tactics with five scenarios, designed and advised by experienced process servers from across the country. Click the slideshow to start, and when presented with a scenario, click the tactic that you think will help prevent assault.
Scenario 1: A client contacts you with a job
Do you immediately accept or seek clarification?
Scenario 2: Pulling up to the serve
Is it best to pull into the driveway or park on the street?
Scenario 3: When the person invites you inside
Accept the invitation and go into the home, or decline and wait outside?
Scenario 4: When the person gets angry and accusatory
What's the best way to handle a tense situation?
Scenario 5: When the serve is complete
What is the correct method for leaving the serve?
Media Coverage of Recent Assaults
Woman Sentenced To 1 Day In Jail For Pointing Gun At Process Server
March 10, 2013
A woman in Washington state was sentenced to one day in jail for pointing a gun at a process server who was trying to hand her a subpoena.
Man Accused Of Threatening To Kill Process Server
August 8, 2012
In Florida, deputies arrested 61-year-old David Gould after he allegedly threatened a process server with a gun.
Auburn Process Server Speaks Out About Alleged Assault - April 8, 2012
Man Dragged In Dispute With Process Server - June 5, 2012
Former State Attorney's License Suspended Due to Aggravated Assault on a Process Server Conviction - March 21, 2012
Endorsed By:
National Association of Professional Process Servers (NAPPS)
NAPPS has been instrumental in supporting state associations as they work toward achieving further protection for process servers in their areas. Most recently, NAPPS aided Illinois in passing legislation making assault on a process server a felony.
Update coming soon!
Process Server Association of Colorado (PSACO)
PSACO held an emergency meeting after a recent process server assault. Additionally, President Steve Glenn and the PSACO board looked into getting assault laws changed to protect process servers. A recent meeting included a discussion among members of how to stay safe.
Washington State Process Servers Association (WSPSA)
WSPSA took verbage to the legislation in Washington last year, but due to the economy the legislature did not hear the piece. Process servers in the state are working to keep the issue abreast, and WSPSA believes the change will go through this year. WSPSA Executive Director Eric Vennes provides more detail in a video.
New Jersey Professional Process Servers Association (NJPPSA)
Within New Jersey, process server assault awareness is at the forefront of process server issues. With a bill pending which would make assault against a process server a felony and NJPPSA hosting a Self-Defense seminar, the state is working hard to raise awareness and protect servers.
North Carolina Association of Professional Process Servers (NCAPPS)
North Carolina process servers, like those in many states, have run into issues in trying to gain support from the local sheriff's association. NCAPPS currently holds education and training sessions that focus on diffusing tense situations and staying safe.
Mississippi Association of Professional Process Servers (MAPPS)
Mississippi process servers have incurred difficulty in getting harsher protection laws for process servers. Current certification courses address process server safety and the importance of professionalism. The association is working to raise awareness about the issue.
New York State Professional Process Server's Association (NYSPPSA)
Details coming soon!
Florida Association of Professional Process Servers (FAPPS)
Details coming soon!
Mid Atlantic Association of Professional Process Servers (MAAPPS)
Details coming soon!
Arizona Association of Certified Process Servers
Arizona Association of Certified Process Servers has strived to promote protection and education for servers everywhere. We are promoting proposed assault legislation for the 2013 session at the Arizona State Legislature. With these efforts also comes positive press and an outreach for servers to use tools to protect themselves in the field and deter assaults. We will support PAAPRS and its brilliant efforts for nationwide awareness in reducing assaults on process servers. Won't you join in these efforts?
More Associations Coming Soon!
Is your legal association working to keep the legal support community protected from assault? Let the PAAPRS campaign know how you are working to keep process servers safe.
If your association is interested in joining the PAAPRS campaign, send an email to marketing@serve-now.com for more information on how you can get involved.
California Association of Legal Support Professionals (CALSPRO)
The California Association of Legal Support Professionals was one of the first process serving associations to obtain (in 1983 via Assembly Bill 1724) tougher penalties for those who are convicted of assault or battery against a process server. In addition, our Assault Advisor helps members who may have been assaulted or battered, by providing support and advice on how best to move their case forward. Recently, we've decided to step up our efforts yet again! In late 2012/early 2013, we'll begin a campaign to introduce ourselves and our profession to district attorneys throughout California and we'll also begin working on a letter that we intend to send to the prosecutor and arresting officer on behalf of any member that has an assault or battery case pending. It's up to all of us, we believe, to stand up for process servers who everyday, are on the front lines providing the notice that is such a vital component of our legal system.
If you are a California process server, please read CALSPro's assault and safety tips: Words of Advice on Preventing and Dealing With Assault
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Media Contacts:
For more information about PAAPRS, media inquiries, article requests, and other information, Contact ServeNow.com.