How do I verify if a paper that was served to me is a legitimate court summons?
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How do I verify if a paper that was served to me is a legitimate court summons?
I received a document from a girl this evening at my door nothing was said just asked who I was and handed it to me. It says my state and county on the top and then in bold letters says summons. There is no docket court date or address I am supposed to appear at. The only information I see asking me to do anything is submit a response if I “accept or deny” the claim. Is this legitimate? If there is no docket number how do I verify this with the court?
Asked on January 30, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Minnesota
Answers:
S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The document you described does not sound like a legitimate court filed document. The summons and complaint (lawsuit attached to the summons) should have the filing date and case number.
If the document names the court where it was allegedly filed, you can go to that court and look in the court's computer in the plaintiff/defendant index. You can enter your name under defendants in the defendant index and it will show whether any case has been filed against you and will display the case number. You will need a case number in order to obtain the file from the court clerk. You can look at the file, but can't remove it from the court. You can ask the court clerk to photocopy the file or any part of the file you want.
Again, from what you have described, it does not appear that any case was filed.
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