What Do Bailiffs Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Bailiffs maintain order in courts of law. They also screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.

Other tasks include:

• Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
• Provide jury escort to restaurant and other areas outside of courtroom to prevent jury contact with public.
• Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
• Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.
• Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
• Guard lodging of sequestered jury.

We asked Bailiffs how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Bailiffs maintain court docket. They check courtroom for security and cleanliness and assure availability of sundry supplies, such as notepads, for use by judge, jurors, and attorneys.

A typical day for a Bailiff will also include:

• Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
• Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
• Announce entrance of judge.
• Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
• Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.

We asked some Bailiffs a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	69% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	74% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	95% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	92% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	66% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Bailiffs also stop people from entering courtroom while judge charges jury. They may also screen, control, and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Bailiffs Guard lodging of sequestered jury. They might also Report need for police or medical assistance to sheriff’s office.

In addition, they Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.

To some Bailiffs, it is also their responsibility to Provide jury escort to restaurant and other areas outside of courtroom to prevent jury contact with public.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Bailiff, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/correctional-officers.htm

http://www.aca.org/

http://www.bop.gov/

http://www.aja.org/