Judicial Branch Certification Commission issues multiple process-server sanctions, debates "drop serve" curriculum update

The Judicial Branch Certification Commission on Feb. 7 accepted multiple enforcement actions against process servers, approved administrative dismissals on a series of complaints and agreed to review training guidance after a disputed “drop serve” prompted debate.

Commission members voted to issue a final order in a compliance case involving a false return of service. "This case concerns false statements on a return of service, and because of that, it's a perjury case," said Miss Mullen, the staff presenter. The commission adopted the complaint committee's recommended sanction in that matter, which included permanent revocation of the respondent's process-server certification and an administrative penalty (the committee had sought $2,500 originally; the settlement asked for a reduced amount and the commission approved the final order imposing the recommended sanction as presented at the hearing).

Why it matters: Proper service of process underpins civil procedure; commissioners said inaccurate or misleading returns can jeopardize court proceedings and default-judgment assumptions. The panel also addressed dozens of compliance matters at the meeting as part of its monthly docket.

The meeting recorded multiple related votes. The commission: - Approved the minutes of its Nov.…