To: Jason Smith, Phil Amato, Mary Elizabeth Coleman
Process servers are public servants that deserve protection
I am a process server working in some of the most challenging and dangerous areas of the city. In the course of doing the job I take pride in, I have been chased, threatened, and physically assaulted. Unfortunately, when these cases go to court, the charges are often reduced, pled out, or dismissed entirely—sometimes resulting in nothing more than a fine or unsupervised probation. This sends the wrong message: that attacking a process server is a minor offense.
Most people know I am serving legal papers on behalf of the court system, yet some mistakenly assume I am a law enforcement officer simply because I represent the judicial process. I make it clear that I am not a police officer, but in their eyes, anyone connected to the legal system is seen as an authority figure. When they realize I am not law enforcement, they believe the consequences for assaulting me will be minimal—and too often, they are right. This lack of accountability puts process servers at risk every day. I strongly believe that Missouri should pass legislation making assault on a process server a felony, just as it is for assaulting a police officer, peace officer, public official, or public servant. We perform an essential duty for the justice system, yet we do so without the protections afforded to others in similar roles. Elevating these penalties would deter violence, protect those who serve the courts, and uphold the integrity of the legal process.
Why is this important?
Process servers play a critical role in upholding the justice system by ensuring that individuals receive proper legal notice, which is a constitutional right. Without their work, court proceedings could be delayed or invalidated, undermining the integrity of the legal process. However, serving legal documents often places these professionals in volatile situations where emotions run high, making them vulnerable to threats and physical harm. Elevating assault on a process server to a felony in Missouri would send a clear message that attacks on those enforcing the law will not be tolerated, reinforcing respect for the judicial system and protecting those who make it function.