IPS Network Blog

I had to laugh today. One of my process servers had to serve a document at Shriver Job Corps. It was a simple demand letter that any disinterested person could serve. Regardless, my server went inside Job Corps and asked to see the people he was attempting to serve. One person was unavailable so he served it on an agent of Job Corps. The other person was the head of security. He handed the gentleman the paper and the security guard looked up and said to him, "do you know you're on Federal property?" The guard went on to spew some bullshit story about how he, as an officer on federal property, cannot be served. My server explained to him that it doesn't matter what type of property it is. So, once again, the guy said, "do you know you're on Federal property?" Irritated, my process server said in a sarcastic tone, "do you know you're only a security guard! I don't care if this is holy ground and you're the Pope!" He served the paper...

As of January 2008, membership in this Network will be by invitation only . This new policy will not affect current members, however. Furthermore, every affiliate must possess two year's of experience and must pass a C.O.R.I. check. Anyone who has ever been convicted of a felony, any drug related offenses (under 10 years old), domestic abuse, and/or any crimes directed towards a police officer, will not be eligible for membership. There are no fees or dues owed once you become a member. Any money owed to you for services will be paid by the client requesting the service (i.e., attorney). Why the policy change? This matter was voted on by the current (800) members throughout Massachusetts -- 428 members voted in favor of this motion, while the remaining 372 members voted against this motion.

I'm proposing a new policy that will target notary public members. If you agree, you’re encouraged to login and vote. Also, I suggest letting Korey know of your thoughts regarding my policy change because nothing can be changed without his authorization. Last year, out of 1,800 (rounded) notary service requests, 56 clients complained about the notaries we sent to them -- 2% of the complaints dealt with improper notarizations; 59% dealt with the notaries showing up later then the scheduled times; and 39% of the complaints dealt with the notaries lack of knowledge concerning their duties as a notary public. Although 56 complaints out of 1,800 notarizations is relatively low, I want to have our Network provide the best possible notary services. Therefore, my proposed policy change will be as follows: The Massachusetts Notary Public & Legal Support Network's policy on Notary Public members is as follows (pg. 73): "Any commissioned Massachusetts Notary Public may become a m...

Thank you to all the members who have donated money to various Massachusetts Police Departments. More than $10,000.00 has been donated thanks to your contributions (yes I know, our website editor put the wrong amount on our home page :-] ). Police Officer's, EMT's, Firefighter's, etc. all do a wonderful public service and deserve respect and recognition for their work. As a legal support network, it's our duty to give back to them. Our Network has done a great job this year. Can you believe that we have delegated over 9,500 service requests since Feb 2007 - Dec 2007? It's true! Login for more facts about our Network for this year. From December 21 st to January 7 th we will not be delegating any services. We're closed between the aforementioned dates. Happy holidays to you all and I'll see you at our New Year's Eve party. Remember, you may invite your family and two friends. For more information about our New Year's Eve party, please login.

So last Tuesday, Judge Robert Restaino was removed from the bench because of a bit of an outburst. Back in 2005, Judge Restaino was hearing a domestic violence case when someone’s cell phone went off. And the judge simply went off the rails : "Everyone is going to jail. Every single person is going to jail in this courtroom unless I get that instrument now. If anybody believes I’m kidding, ask some of the folks that have been here for a while. You are all going." And sure enough, when nobody fessed up, the judge had all 46 people taken into custody and tossed into the city jail. Most posted bail, but the fourteen who couldn’t were shackled and bussed off to the county jail. It didn’t take long for word of this story to get out, and after the press started calling later in the afternoon, Judge Restaino ordered everyone released. --------------------------------------------- Imagine that you're in court supporting a friend when suddenly you hear someone's cell phone...

The following distance learning schools/colleges have been approved by our Network: The Paralegal Institute -- an accredited two year college that offers various paralegal and criminal justice related programs. One of the oldest and most respected paralegal schools in the country. Washington Online Learning Institute -- This school is regionally accredited and offers many programs relating to paralegal studies. The only downfall about this school is that they're fairly new. For all we know, the school might go out of business in a year or two. (Note: "fairly new" in this context = under 10 years old). Blackstone Career Institute -- This school is accredited and offers basically the same courses that The Paralegal Institute offers. National Paralegal College -- This college offers basically the same courses that Blackstone Career Institute and The Paralegal Institute offers. The downfall about this school is that they're fairly new. Our Network attorney has verifie...

Thanks to Lyle R. Hasley, a Constable for Mashpee, our Network has learned that a Constable's badge should not bear the Sigil of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts unless he/she is in regular employment as a Constable. Furthermore, a Constable may not use the seal of the Commonwealth on any business advertisement, according to MGL. The 'Process Server' page, which has a Constable badge as an image, will be edited shortly. Thanks again Constable Hasley for bringing this matter to our attention. To those that may need a Constable and/or a Notary Public in the Mashpee area, be sure to contact: Lyle R. Hasley 508-360-6575