What is a primary legal restriction for individuals serving process?

Individuals serving process must be at least 18 years old, which is a primary legal restriction in many jurisdictions, including New York. This age requirement ensures that the person entrusted with delivering legal documents is of legal age to understand the responsibilities and implications of the task. It highlights a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the legal process, as someone below that age may not have the requisite maturity to handle legal documents appropriately.

The other options present different criteria that are not essential for someone serving process. For instance, a law degree is not necessary, as anyone can be trained to perform this function regardless of their educational background in law. Additionally, individuals serving process must remain impartial; becoming involved in the case could lead to a conflict of interest, thus compromising the integrity of the service. Lastly, while residency might be required in some contexts, it is not universally mandated for serving process in New York State as long as the person meets the other legal qualifications.