Basics of a Court Bailiff
A court bailiff, also known as a court attendant or court officer, is a judicial associate who is employed by the state to keep an eye on the courtroom during legal proceedings. Although the role of court bailiffs may not be well understood by the general public, they actually play an extremely important role in maintaining order in and around the courtroom. Without court bailiffs to usher the public in and out of the courtroom, keep the peace in the courtroom and provide support staff for judges and jurors, there is a considerable risk that courtroom procedures may be disrupted. This is particularly true in extreme cases involving dangerous criminal defendants or high-profile cases that draw media attention.
When a jury is selected on the first day of trial, it falls on court bailiffs to seat the jurors and make sure that they are properly administered their oaths and able to get to their designated spots in the courtroom. Once the trial begins, court bailiffs serve as security for the court. For instance, if a witness bolts from the courtroom or something malfunction in the courtroom, it is up to the court bailiff to clear the room and deal with the problem . Even once the trial is underway, court bailiffs are still responsible for attending to the courtroom and the people in it. They carry in files, exhibits and documents, bring up juror’s questions and generally keep things organized and running smoothly. Sometimes, court bailiffs will take notes for the judge and juror’s.
It is easy to see how the role of the court bailiff is so critical to the trial process. With such enormous responsibilities placed on their shoulders, court bailiffs must be very careful in the way that they fulfill their job duties. If a court bailiff were to mismanage a jury, for example, and let them see too much of the trial before the case has even started, then it could easily result in a mistrial, resulting in the entire process having to start all over again. Thus, court bailiffs are dealt with an important job, and it’s crucial that they perform their jobs competently. By caring for the legal and civil proceedings, court bailiffs ultimately help to ensure that the rights of litigants, defendants and the public are protected.
Essential Functions of a Court Bailiff
Unlike most individuals in the legal system, who are beholden to a judge for their position and authority, court bailiffs are employees of the United States Marshals Service, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Court bailiffs are supervised by the Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal for the district in which they are appointed. They directly assist and report to a magistrate judge, chief judge, or other judicial officer who happens to be sitting at the time. In short, they serve as the primary "right hand" of the court and its staff.
Bailiffs are charged with maintaining order in the courtroom, assessing and dealing with threats to the security of the court and the parties to cases at issue before it, and performing duties to ensure that trials run smoothly. These individuals are responsible for swearing in witnesses, managing evidence presented in court, and assigning jurors to designated seats. Further, because these professionals handle sensitive information, they are also required to maintain strict confidentiality concerning all matters they handle.
In carrying out each of these responsibilities, court bailiffs must communicate openly and effectively with members of the court staff, attorneys, judges, and the public. They often serve as a liaison between the public and the judicial system itself and are comfortable and competent in dealing with individuals who arrive to the courthouse for whatever reason – including the potential to cause problems. They maintain control over court proceedings and safeguard the participants and jurors, taking appropriate action when necessary to ensure safety and security at all times. In cases of prisoners or defendants housed at local correctional facilities, these professionals transport them to and from the courthouse, ensuring that safety is top priority. In short, court bailiffs patrol the courtrooms in which they serve, protecting the people within them and ensuring that everything goes off without a hitch.
Essential Skills to be a Court Bailiff
In terms of education, a bachelor’s degree is normally required. Some courtrooms will allow the bailiff to have an associate degree or several years of experience working as a police officer, bailiff, or even a personal security officer or other such occupations. Some states will not require a bachelor’s degree if you have several years of experience working as a security officer or bailiff. Most bailiffs are expected to have at least three years of experience working in some local government position. This is especially true in larger cities where they expect a high level of responsibility. If you have experience in related fields, this can increase your chances of getting a position in either the state or federal government. Bailiffs also must have a high level of physical fitness that is commonly required for law enforcement officers. Most bailiffs are also required to pass a background check with a criminal history, financial, psychological, and even a drug test. This is usually required for someone to qualify for the United States Federal Government. All bailiffs must be in good health, at least 18 years of age, and must be American citizens. Training and certification for the position of bailiff varies by state and even within the state. There are some states that will require formal training if you have less than five years of law enforcement experience. Training can take place in the form of court security training. Certification is having a defined compulsory training course and a level of examinations. If you pass the examination, you will receive a bailiff certificate. Both attendance and completion of the course and organization that issues the certificate is confirmed.
Typical Work of a Court Bailiff
A court bailiff’s job varies slightly from that of a regular security guard, in that he or she does not directly prevent or stop criminal activity, but facilitates the smooth function of the courtroom. The day starts when the court and bailiff receive a number of documents that highlight who will be appearing in the courtroom that day. The bailiff will examine this list carefully, to identify parties that may require extra assistance at the beginning of the session. For example, a person who uses a wheelchair may need assistance getting into the courtroom, or a person with a hearing impairment may need guidance as to where to follow proceedings. As people arrive at the courthouse, the bailiff will first identify who is on the list of attendees. If a person on the list is late, the bailiff may have to go locate them and escort them to their seat, so that the person may have the opportunity to speak. The bailiff also keeps track of all the people in attendance in order to ensure that no known criminals enter the courtroom and create an incident, allowing the courtroom to function smoothly. The court bailiff is also responsible for identifying and assisting any victims of a crime that are in attendance. In many cases, a victim of a crime is a minor, meaning the bailiff will then have to direct them in the proper location and speak to them in a calm manner, reassuring them that everything will go well and that they are safe. In his description of a court bailiff’s typical day, Henry Reed of Allgettingusolutions adds that the individual "provides information regarding persons such as judges and lawyers to the public." In this way, the court bailiff acts as a personal receptionist for the courtroom, answering questions that individuals may have about the whereabouts of certain people. After the proceedings are complete, the bailiff will escort any victims out of court and provide them with any additional information that they will need. Throughout the day, the bailiff has also been responsible for overseeing the activities and conduct of those in the courtroom. If someone behaves in an inappropriate manner, the bailiff will be the first person to object and ask the individual to leave or take them into custody until the situation has been resolved.
Difficulties Faced by a Court Bailiff
A number of challenges can arise in the course of performing bailiff duties. Not every courtroom is equipped with the security infrastructure necessary to handle emotionally charged cases or large crowds, which can pose risks to the physical safety of all parties involved.
In high-stakes or controversial cases, too, court bailiffs may find it difficult to remain impartial in the face of intense emotional displays. The risk of potentially being called to testify in litigation as a witness, based on your observations as court bailiff or officer, can be an additional challenge and stressor that comes as part of the job description.
When dealing with difficult court attendees, a court bailiff must also be skilled in the art of maintaining order in the courtroom, which can mean physically removing those who disrupt proceedings and cause problems in court . Such actions, however, can make them vulnerable to physical harm—something that a court bailiff should, in turn, be prepared for; knowing the proper procedures for safely interacting with law enforcement officers, fire marshals and other emergency workers is essential.
One other challenge that a court officer may face is maintaining order among judges, lawyers and court staff themselves, who are human beings and can have disagreements, argument and conflicts over case processing. Court bailiffs may also have to act as mediators. In order to do so effectively, a court attendant will have to be diplomatic, fair, professional and most importantly, impartial.
The responsibilities of a bailiff may vary from one jurisdiction to another and based upon factors like type of court, type of case and the extent of support staff available to them. Nonetheless, a balance of authority, diplomacy and security is key to the court officer’s essential role in helping ensure proper judicial process is upheld.
Possibilities for Promotion and Advancement
For those looking for career advancement, there are possibilities. After five years of service, it is possible to advance to Senior Court Bailiff. Other opportunities include transitioning to a Court Commissioner position. A Court Commissioner is a judicial officer who hears cases and performs other functions within the court system. Some court bailiffs have gone on to become Circuit Court Judges. Operators with a college degree have some opportunity for advancement to higher-level technical positions such as senior programmer analyst, senior administrative analyst, senior systems analyst, administrative analyst, human resource specialist, accountant and specialist II. After completing three years of service, and upon vacancy, a Bailiff may participate in the selection process to be appointed a Master Bailiff. The Master Bailiff is the lead bailiff for a courtroom, supervises subordinate bailiffs, manages the case flow of a courtroom. A Master Bailiff also performs other functions that are assigned by the Circuit Court Judge that are necessary for the successful operation of the court.
Becoming a Court Bailiff
To become a court bailiff in the United States, there are several steps you need to follow prior to beginning employment. First, the job must be actively available in your jurisdiction. In many cases, this requires completing a formal written application process. This includes submitting your high school diploma (or GED certificate) and passing a short entry-level exam that determines whether you understand relevant laws governing the field. You may also require a short interview with investigators or a background check to ensure that no violent incidents appear on your criminal record.
The minimum educational requirement for candidates wishing to pursue a career as a court bailiff is a high school diploma or a GED. In certain cases, individuals may be required to complete a college degree program or have an equivalent amount of work experience in a related field.
Once you have passed the relevant application processes and interviews, you must complete a formal training program before you can begin working as a bailiff. This training program consists of both hands-on and theoretical academic coursework in relevant topics such as courtroom administrative procedures, security protocols , and relevant local laws. During this, you will receive a thorough overview of your duties and learn how to perform them in real-time. In addition, you will be taught about firearms safety and deepened your expertise in relevant state and local laws.
It is helpful to spend some time researching the current job market to see if there are openings in the region where you are hoping to work. In smaller towns and less populated areas, it can be quite difficult to find an opening, so consider expanding your search area as your career progresses. In some states, court bailiffs are employed by the state or county government, while in others, they are employed directly by local courts. Speak to attorneys and other law professionals in your local area to learn more about all local options, as well as the types of candidates they are looking for.
For those seeking a federal court position, being a commissioned deputy U.S. marshal is necessary. This process involves issuing an application online, notifying the appropriate department and paying a multi-part fee. When you meet the qualifications, you will be invited to attend an in-person interview and background check, as well as a medical evaluation and full drug test.