In civil process, service may be made by which of the following individuals?

• A. Only a sheriff
• B. Only the plaintiff
• C. The attorney general
• D. An authorized person such as a process server or sheriff, or an agent of the defendant

Answer: (D)

In civil process, notice has to be given by someone who is legally allowed to serve papers, not just any person. The best answer reflects that flexibility: an authorized person such as a process server or sheriff can carry out service, and a defendant can designate an agent to handle service as well. This framework ensures proper notice and due process, whether the server is an official like a sheriff or an authorized private process server, or an agent the defendant has authorized (for example, a registered agent or someone specifically designated to receive service). The other choices are too restrictive—serving only by a sheriff or only by the plaintiff ignores the common authorities and methods that exist for valid service, and the attorney general isn’t typically the person responsible for serving process in ordinary civil actions.