What is the main difference between personal service and substituted service?

The key distinction between personal service and substituted service lies in the method of delivering legal documents to an individual. In personal service, documents are handed directly to the intended recipient, ensuring that they are officially informed of the legal action against them. This direct delivery is crucial because it guarantees that the individual is aware of the proceedings and promotes due process.

Substituted service, on the other hand, occurs when the documents cannot be delivered directly to the recipient. Instead, they may be left with another person of suitable age at the individual's residence or sent through alternative means, which are generally less direct than personal service. This method is employed when personal service is impractical, but it may not provide the same level of assurance that the recipient has received the documents. Thus, the choice that illustrates the correct understanding of personal service is the one that highlights its direct nature of delivering documents to the individual involved in the legal proceedings.