What is the effect of proper service of a summons outside Arizona?

Proper service of a summons outside Arizona is considered equivalent to personal service within Arizona when the service is conducted in compliance with the rules governing service of process. This equivalence is essential because it allows courts to maintain jurisdiction over a defendant or respondent regardless of their location, ensuring that legal proceedings can proceed effectively.

When service is completed according to the legal requirements, it upholds the integrity of the judicial process and provides the receiving party with notice of the legal action, which is a fundamental principle of due process. This means that the actions taken and responses expected from the individual served are valid in the same way they would be if the individual were served personally within the state of Arizona.

This principle is vital for legal practitioners and process servers to understand, as it emphasizes the importance of adhering to the laws of service, regardless of geographic boundaries.