Fortunately, it is not often that a process server needs to serve a juvenile. No one likes to think of kids as involved in crimes, and thank goodness, juvenile crime has plummeted.
According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in the aggregate, juvenile crime has fallen drastically since its high in 1996.
Serving a Juvenile is governed under Florida is governed by Florida Statute, Chapter 48, section 041. When serving a minor, the actual process of service is made to a parent, guardian, or guardian ad litem.
| 48.041 Service on minor.— (1) Process against a minor who has never been married shall be served: (a) By serving a parent or guardian of the minor as provided for in s. 48.031 or, when there is a legal guardian appointed for the minor, by serving the guardian as provided for in s. 48.031. (b) By serving the guardian ad litem or other person, if one is appointed by the court to represent the minor. Service on the guardian ad litem is unnecessary when he or she appears voluntarily or when the court orders the appearance without service of process on him or her. (2) In all cases heretofore adjudicated in which process was served on a minor as prescribed by any law heretofore existing, the service was lawfully made, and no proceeding shall be declared irregular or illegal if a guardian ad litem appeared for the minor. History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 7853, 1919; CGL 4273, 4274; s. 1, ch. 19175, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4274(13); s. 2, ch. 29737, 1955; s. 4, ch. 67-254; s. 1, ch. 84-176; s. 270, ch. 95-147.Note.—Former ss. 47.23-47.25. |
