Bailiff Job Description, Career as a Bailiff, Salary, Employment

Education and Training: – High School diploma

Salary: Median – $34,210 annually

Employment Outlook: – Excellent

A legal officer with a certain degree of authority and jurisdiction is known as Bailiff. The person declaring the entry of the judge in the court room can also be designated as a bailiff. Bailiffs perform the vital duty of swearing in witnesses. They also ensure that the court has adequate supplies of all necessary items. A bailiff provides jury escort outside the court room in order to ward off unnecessary public contact.

Duties and responsibilities alter depending on the concerned offices. Generally, the bailiff shoulders the responsibility of lawful execution of court orders and exercises judicial mandates. Non-judicial services like debt collection, incorporating judicial advice and providing assistance at lower courts also fall within the purview of a bailiff’s job profile. Private bailiffs are required to draft letters seeking repayment of money.

Apart from running errands and performing regular paper works, a major responsibility of a bailiff constitutes the maintenance of law and order within the court room in times of ongoing trials. They have the power of seizure and can retain illegal arms within the court’s premises. Certain jurisdictions can entrust bailiffs with the job of legal documentation and implementation of arrest warrants. Transportation of prisoners requires the services of bailiff, who can then delegate as a police constable.

Education and Training Requirements

High school graduation can suffice the educational needs of an individual who aspires to become a bailiff. Although not mandatory, specific jurisdictions may insist upon a special training along with a degree in paralegal technology. Many bailiffs say that the most valuable training is picked up on the job.

Aspiring bailiffs must possess adept communication skills, as public contact forms the basis of their job profile. Sometimes they are required to cope with tense circumstances. Observational dexterity is needed in order to stay vigilant in the courtroom. Fundamental knowledge of legal procedures, court proceedings and terminology often come in handy during the career span of a bailiff.

Bailiffs must be physically fit as they generally need to serve longing hours. At times they may require scuttling behind a fleeing defendant for which they must be physically agile.

Confidence and sense of assertion are required in times of legal negotiation. Potential bailiffs must possess a logical mind in order to execute complex legal instructions.

Getting the Job

Courts, government departments, State correctional institutions and local governments provide majority of the employment opportunities for a bailiff. Apart from courts, various government departments offer job openings for the post of bailiffs.

Advancement Possibilities and Employment Outlook

Experience is the key to the career growth of a bailiff. A sheriff officer with at least two years’ experience under his belt can be commissioned as a messenger-at-arms simply by further training followed by an additional examination.

Advancement possibilities largely depend on the kind of work that the bailiff chooses to perform. There are many bailiff firms where individuals starting off as a bailiff, can move up to the positions of a senior bailiff, assistant manager and finally to the prestigious rank of a manager. A county court bailiff can aspire for the position of a bailiff manager.

Bailiffs working as correctional officers can advance to supervisory position of a correctional sergeant. A good track record along with adequate experience can take one to the level of a warden.

Correctional officers are likely to enjoy a steep growth in employment rate, estimated at around 16% in between 2006-2016. Constant escalation in crime rates results in court procedures. This will pave the way for future job openings for those who wish to serve as bailiffs in courts.

Working Conditions

Bailiffs can choose to work in prisons and jails where the working conditions are definitely challenging than that of a court room atmosphere. Those working in correctional institutes generally get well lit areas which have proper ventilation facilities unlike some of the prisons. Working in judicial settings is completely different where one has handle legal proceedings and general public.

Where to Go for More Information

American Correctional Association
206 N. Washington Street – Alexandria
VA 22314
http://www.aca.org/

Salary, Earnings and Benefits

Salary of a bailiff changes with age and experience. Bailiffs employed at private firms can enjoy the benefit of added incentives along with their basic salary. Survey conducted in 2006, shows that bailiffs earned median annual salary of $34,210. The amount was less around $30,510 in case the bailiff is employed in local government. According to research, a bailiff can earn up to a maximum of $58,270 annually.

Bailiffs enjoy regular benefits like health and life insurance, and paid leaves.