What Is a Bailiff? - Duties and Requirements

Bailiffs do important work in legal services and criminal justice, so this can be a rewarding career that you can start relatively quickly.

While most jurisdictions require bailiffs to be 21, in some places, you can get started in this position as young as 18 years of age.

Because bailiffs are uniformed police officers or sheriffs, they typically must complete law enforcement training before starting work.

Becoming a Bailiff

Keep reading to learn more specifics about being a bailiff, including their job duties and how to find work as a bailiff.

Job Duties

On a basic level, bailiffs provide daily security in courts and when transporting prisoners to and from prison and through the courts.

In the courtroom setting, a bailiff's duties include the following:

• calling for order and attention when the judge enters
• enforcing courtroom rules
• passing evidence and documents between attorneys and the judge
• escorting witnesses to and from the witness stand
• escorting jurors to and from the jury box
• escorting prisoners to and from the courtroom

In some jurisdictions, bailiffs are staffed from the sheriff's department, which means they also conduct regular sheriff's duties.

Sheriff's duties include executing warrants, serving court papers, and filing documents with the court.

Soft Skills

Because bailiffs are responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom, they need to be extremely focused and observant.

You have to be able to pay attention to all the people in the courtroom and everything that's going on at all times.

Bailiffs also tend to work long hours on their feet, so you need to be pretty physically fit with good stamina and resilience.

Discipline and control are also important for bailiffs. They need to know how to assess potentially risky situations so they don't overreact.

Work Environment

Bailiffs are primarily associated with their work in the courtroom. They might be assigned to a specific courtroom or rotate among several.

Being a bailiff requires you to spend long hours on your feet and be on high alert at all times while working.

Many bailiffs are also full-time sheriffs, which means when they're not working in the courtroom, they're working as a sheriff.

Working as a sheriff involves a lot of travel and some risky situations since they're typically delivering court papers or executing warrants.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of bailiffs (and correctional officers generally) will decline 7% from 2022 to 2032.

This decline is largely attributed to lower incarceration rates and prison population levels, which will reduce demand for bailiffs.

Changes to criminal justice laws generally are likely to result in a smaller need for additional sheriffs and law enforcement personnel.

However, bailiffs will continue to be in demand to some extent as long as the court system exists.

Finding Employment

Because of the decrease in demand for bailiffs, it can be pretty difficult to find a job in this field ?but that doesn't mean it's impossible.

Finding work in law enforcement and getting to know your local sheriff's department is a great way to network for a job as a bailiff.

The more experience you have in law enforcement, the more attractive you'll be as an applicant for a bailiff position when one opens up.

You might also look for work in the courthouse where you want to work as a bailiff. Knowing someone there could lead to an assignment.

If you're interested in becoming a bailiff, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or the Equivalent

Most bailiffs only have a high school diploma or the equivalent, such as a GED. This career is considered more of a trade than a profession.

In high school, taking classes in criminal justice, law, and history will help give you a strong background to succeed as a bailiff.

You might also consider interning in a courthouse or with a law enforcement agency to network and get some hands-on experience.

Another thing you can do is contact local bailiffs and ask if it would be possible to shadow one of them for a day. You can learn a lot that way.

Step 2: Consider Getting a Bachelor's Degree

The decline in demand for bailiffs means that competition for available openings will be pretty stiff.

Although typically not required, you can set yourself apart from the crowd with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Many universities offer these degrees online, so you can study on your own terms without putting your life on hold.

With a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, you'll have an additional understanding of the criminal justice system that you can't get on the job.

Step 3: Complete Any Required Training

Required training for bailiffs varies depending on the jurisdiction, but usually includes regular law enforcement training.

In jurisdictions where bailiffs are uniformed sheriffs, you would be required to take the same training that other sheriffs take.

Because bailiffs are armed, they typically have to take firearms training and become licensed to carry the firearms they carry on the job.

Any extra training you can get can potentially make you a more competitive candidate for any bailiff position that opens up.

Step 4: Pass a Background Check

Bailiffs, like all other law enforcement officers, must have a clean state and federal criminal record before they can work.

The office that hires you will typically order the background check, although you may have to pay a fee for it.

Small infractions shouldn't hurt your chances much as long as you're upfront and honest about them from the beginning.

Many departments and offices will also require you to pass a drug test as well before you're hired on to work full time.

Learn About Becoming a Bailiff Today

Start a rewarding career as a bailiff with just a high school diploma or the equivalent and some law enforcement training.