The Judicial Branch Certification Commission (JBCC) of Texas has been asked to create and recommend a code of ethics for each profession the JBCC regulates. This recommendation will go to the Supreme Court of Texas.
The Texas Process Servers Association (TPSA) has recently put out an email alerting its members to the 30 day comment period for the proposed Process Server Code of Conduct. The period for comments will be open until March 13, 2015 and all comments can be sent to jbcc@txcourts.gov.
The code of conduct calls for:
- Respect to be shown by the process server
- Accurate returns/honesty
- Process servers to not work in any other capacity for law firms they are serving documents for
- Objectivity on the part of the process server
- Continuing education
An interesting part of the codes of conduct calls for process server to not serve in a suit, as it “would cause a distinct appearance of impropriety”. It also states a process server must not exaggerate his authority or position with a court.
Some of the items the proposed code of conduct calls for are uniform across other states. For example, under the code process servers cannot wear a law enforcement uniform or display a law enforcement badge or a badge that resembles one.
The JBCC has not yet indicated what fines or penalties will be associated with breaking any part of the code of ethics.
For a full copy of the proposed Process Server Code of Conduct click here. To send your comments, send them by March 13th to jbcc@txcourts.gov.
