How does service of process differ from service of subpoenas?

• A. Process servers deliver civil documents; subpoenas may be served by anyone.
• B. Process servers deliver subpoenas only.
• C. Process servers deliver civil documents like summons and complaint, while subpoenas command appearance or production and may be served similarly.
• D. Subpoenas cannot be served by process servers.

Answer: (C)

Service of process covers delivering civil documents that start or move a lawsuit, like a summons and a complaint. Subpoenas are different: they order someone to appear or to produce evidence in a case. They’re a separate kind of legal command, but they’re served in a similar way by someone authorized to serve process (often a private process server or a sheriff). So the statement that process servers deliver civil documents like summons and complaint, while subpoenas command appearance or production and may be served similarly, captures both the distinct roles and the shared method of service. It’s not correct to say subpoenas can be served by anyone, or that process servers serve only subpoenas, or that subpoenas cannot be served by process servers.