California Private Investigator Practice Exam

If a private investigator is unable to serve a summons to the intended subject, what is the appropriate action when a family member answers the door?

1. Provide the summons to the family member

2. Leave it at the door

3. Wait for the subject to come home

4. Inform the family member to contact the subject

The correct answer is: Provide the summons to the family member

Providing the summons to the family member is appropriate under specific circumstances dictated by California law. In California, legal documents such as summons can be served not just directly to the individual being summoned, but they can also be delivered to a competent adult residing at the same residence as the intended recipient. This is known as substituted service. For a family member to receive the summons on behalf of the subject, the process server must ensure that the family member is at least eighteen years old and that the delivery is made at the residence where the subject lives. Properly executing this step ensures that notice of the legal proceedings is effectively communicated to the subject, which is a fundamental aspect of due process. The other options are not appropriate in a situation where a family member answers the door. Leaving the summons at the door does not guarantee that it will reach the intended subject, and therefore fails to meet the requirements of service. Waiting for the subject to come home could lead to unnecessary delays and does not fulfill the obligation to serve the summons in a timely manner. Informing the family member to contact the subject does not constitute service and does not satisfy legal requirements.