Mountain View, CA asked in Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for California

Q: Can I sue someone without knowing his (mailing) address?

I need to sue someone a civil court, but I don't know his address. How could I serve the court papers without knowing his address? If I hire someone to serve the court papers, or ask the county sheriff to serve the court papers, will they be able to do it without me providing the defendant's address?

3 Lawyer Answers
Robert Kane
Robert Kane
Answered
  • Eagan, MN
  • Licensed in California

A: It is unlikely the sheriff's department or a process server will do your leg work to find his address. Service by publication MAY be an option. The bigger problem is how do you expect to collect on the judgment if you manage to get a judgment?

I assume you asked about the perjury too. It seems you have some major hurdles. In order to ensure the best possible outcome, you need to consult with an attorney, at least in a limited role. Far too often, an individual leaves court disappointed because they weren’t properly prepared. A small investment will provide a polished petition that you can rely upon when presenting your case to the judge.

Limited-scope representation is when you and a lawyer agree that the lawyer will handle some parts of your case and you will handle others. This is different from more traditional arrangements between lawyers and clients where a lawyer is hired to provide legal services on all aspects of a case, from start to finish. Limited-scope representation is sometimes called “unbundled legal services” or “discrete task representation.”

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Newport Beach, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: You can hire a private Investigator to locate the individual if you have some identifying information, car license plate, driver's license number, social security number, place of employment, bank account number...... But as Mr. Kane said, you have additional problems beyond just locating the person you want to sue. I recommend you contact several attorneys in your area that practice this type of law, as soon as possible. Thank you for using Justia ask a lawyer.

James L. Arrasmith
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Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: If you need to sue someone in civil court and don't know their address, there are options available to serve them with court papers. Hiring a professional process server or a private investigator who specializes in locating individuals can help track down the defendant and serve the papers. Alternatively, you can seek assistance from the county sheriff's office or a similar law enforcement agency, as they may have resources to locate the defendant and serve the papers. However, it's important to consult with an attorney who can provide specific guidance based on the laws and procedures in your jurisdiction to ensure proper service of the court papers. They can guide you through the necessary steps to effectively serve the defendant, taking into account the specific circumstances of your case.

1 user found this answer helpful

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