Bailiff

http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/bill_of_rights/bill_of_rights.html (constitution)

http://www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/bkshelf/resource/sa_crt_pro.htm (guide to mock trials)

http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/students/ (judicial branch resources)

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ (Supreme court)

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/dayarch/rivday12.htm (courts -“a day in the life”)

http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/325/325lect06.htm (eyewitness info/bail/pretrial motions)

http://www.lectlaw.com/lay.html (laypeople law)

http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/library/research/researchguides/citations/ (reading legal citations)

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/flowchart.htm (CJ flow chart)

http://www.uncp.edu/home/vanderhoof/m-trial/butler/case-1.html

 

1 a : an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions b : a minor officer of some United States courts usually serving as a messenger or usher

 

5. There is at least one Bailiff in every courtroom. A courtroom bailiff is a sworn peace officer and in the courts of Stanislaus County they are members of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department. The bailiff's duties are to:

  • Provide security for the courtroom, the judge, the staff and those in attendance.
  • Escort defendants who are in custody and prevent escapes.
  • Assist in the administration of court functions as directed by the judge and the clerk.
For more information on the Sheriff's Department or bailiffs click on http://www.co.stanislaus.ca.us/sheriff/index.htm

A court official usually classified as a peace officer (sometimes as a deputy sheriff, or marshal) and usually wearing a uniform. A bailiff's main job is to maintain order in the courtroom. In addition, bailiffs often help court proceedings go smoothly by shepherding witnesses in and out of the courtroom and handing evidence to witnesses as they testify. In criminal cases, the bailiff may have temporary charge of any defendant who is in custody during court proceedings.

bailiff cartoons, bailiff cartoon, bailiff picture, bailiff pictures, bailiff image, bailiff images, bailiff illustration, bailiff illustrations

Bailiffs enforce the rules of behavior in courtrooms.

"All rise for the honorable Judge Smith," says the bailiff. Everyone in the courtroom obeys. Aside from a few other statements, the bailiff is silent, keeping watch. Does this mean that bailiffs are hired simply to announce the judge? Not so. Bailiffs actually have a variety of duties.

Bailiffs provide security in courtrooms. At the beginning of their shifts, they check courtrooms to make sure they are safe. They look for concealed guns, bombs, or other hazards. They also make sure courtrooms are clean. As people enter courtrooms, bailiffs make sure they are not carrying guns. When they find unauthorized weapons, bailiffs take them and store them in a safe location.

Bailiffs announce the entrance of judges into courtrooms. During trials, bailiffs maintain order in courtrooms. They prevent people from entering courtrooms while judges are instructing juries. They also make sure people watching trials do not talk to the jury. Bailiffs also inform people of courtroom rules and enforce those rules. For example, they may tell people they are not allowed to smoke in courtrooms or that their conversations are interrupting court proceedings. Bailiffs may remove or arrest people who do not cooperate. In addition, they restrain people watching trials who act aggressively when they dislike decisions. If needed, bailiffs contact the sheriff's office for help. In case of medical emergencies, they contact medical staff.

Many trials last more than one day. Occasionally, judges decide that jurors cannot return to their homes until trials are over. In these situations, jurors must stay at hotels. Bailiffs guard these hotels and escort jurors to restaurants to keep the public from contacting them.

Bailiffs have other duties in addition to providing security. They make sure judges have case files and supplies. They also swear in witnesses, handle articles of evidence, and escort prisoners to and from court.

Officer of some U.S. courts whose duties include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors in deliberation. In medieval Europe, it was a title of some dignity and power, denoting a manorial superintendent or royal agent who collected fines and rent, served writs, assembled juries, made arrests, and executed the monarch's orders. The bailiff's authority was gradually eroded by the increasing need to use administrators with legal or other specialized training.

 

COURT BAILIFF

Masters-at-Arms may also be assigned to duties of a court bailiff. A bailiff should be present at every trial to announce the opening and closing of the court, to obtain witnesses as they are called to testify, to ask everyone to rise when the trial judge enters or leaves the courtroom, and to take care of administrative errands during the trial. The trial counsel is responsible for briefing the bailiff as to his or her duties.

 

Duties of the Bailiff

The bailiff may look to the trial counsel for specific instruction as to his or her duties and for directions before and after each session of the court. While the court is in session, the bailiff is under the supervision of the military judge and will assist the military judge and counsel in the conduct of an orderly trial. The bailiff should be familiar with the location of the principal offices and facilities, such as the library, within the law complex.

The following is a list of the duties of a court bailiff: . The bailiff reports to the trial counsel in the

uniform of the day with duty belt and appropriate cover at least 30 minutes before the beginning of each day's proceedings. Thereafter the bailiff reports to the military judge 15 minutes before the beginning of the day's proceedings. l The bailiff sees that the courtroom, including the

spectator area and the deliberation room for court members, has a neat and orderly appearance and will arrange the furniture properly.

 

Conduct of Bailiff

The bailiff should remain neutral throughout the trial of a case and not assume a partisan attitude toward either the prosecution or the defense. The bailiff should never participate in any discussion of the merits of the case or attempt to predict the outcome of the trial. The bailiff should also avoid making any comments on the performance of counsel for either side or on the testimony of witnesses.

 

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Bailiff

http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/charters_of_freedom/bill_of_rights/bill_of_rights.html (constitution)

http://www.19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/bkshelf/resource/sa_crt_pro.htm (guide to mock trials)

http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/students/ (judicial branch resources)

http://www.supremecourtus.gov/ (Supreme court)

http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/dayarch/rivday12.htm (courts -“a day in the life”)

http://faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/325/325lect06.htm (eyewitness info/bail/pretrial motions)

http://www.lectlaw.com/lay.html (laypeople law)

http://www.bc.edu/schools/law/library/research/researchguides/citations/ (reading legal citations)

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/flowchart.htm (CJ flow chart)

http://www.uncp.edu/home/vanderhoof/m-trial/butler/case-1.html