A summons issued by a judge may be served by mail by the court clerk because it does not arrest anyone.

A summons issued by a judge may be served by mail by the court clerk because it does not arrest anyone.

• A. True
• B. It may be served by mail only if the defendant agrees
• C. False
• D. It must be served by personal delivery in all cases

Answer: (C)

The essential point is how service of a summons must be carried out to give proper notice. A summons issued by a judge in a criminal or municipal matter is not served simply by the court clerk mailing it, just because no arrest will occur. The usual rule is that service must follow a statutorily approved method—typically personal delivery by a peace officer or another authorized process server, or another approved in-person method. Mailing a summons by the court clerk is not the default or automatic method in this context. There can be mail service in specific civil situations or with waivers, but that does not apply here. So the statement is not correct.

The essential point is how service of a summons must be carried out to give proper notice. A summons issued by a judge in a criminal or municipal matter is not served simply by the court clerk mailing it, just because no arrest will occur. The usual rule is that service must follow a statutorily approved method—typically personal delivery by a peace officer or another authorized process server, or another approved in-person method. Mailing a summons by the court clerk is not the default or automatic method in this context. There can be mail service in specific civil situations or with waivers, but that does not apply here. So the statement is not correct.