How do I locate a defendant in a small claims court case?

In Rhode Island, locating a defendant in a small claims court case is a relatively easy process. The first step is to fill out a Summons and Complaint Form, which can be obtained from the Rhode Island Court System. This form should include pertinent information about the case, including the name and address of the defendant. Once the form is filled out, it should be submitted to the clerk of the court in whatever county the defendant resides in. The clerk will then issue a summons to the defendant and send it to the address provided on the Summons and Complaint Form. If the defendant is unfamiliar with the court system, the defendant may be able to answer the summons without attending court. However, if the defendant chooses to answer the summons, then they will need to appear in court. If the defendant fails to answer the summons, then they must be served with a legal notice. The process varies depending on the county, but generally it involves hiring a process server to deliver the notice to the defendant. The process server must certify that the notice was properly served to the defendant. Once the defendant receives the notice, the defendant must appear in court to answer the complaint. If the defendant cannot be located, then the court may allow the plaintiff to serve the defendant by means of publication. The plaintiff must publish a notice in a newspaper or online about the case and the defendant must respond to the notice in order to be held accountable. Overall, locating a defendant in a small claims court in Rhode Island can be a fairly straightforward process. With the help of the court clerk, it should be relatively easy to locate a defendant and bring them to justice.

How do I locate a defendant in a small claims court case?

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