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Bailiffs provide courtroom security. When they arrive at work, they ensure the courtrooms are safe. They check for hidden bombs, guns, or other dangers. They monitor the cleanliness of courtrooms. Bailiffs make sure people are not armed as they enter the courtroom. When unauthorized weapons are found, bailiffs confiscate them.
Bailiffs declare the entry of judges in courtrooms. Throughout trials, bailiffs keep order in courtrooms. While judges instruct juries, bailiffs stop people from entering the courtroom. They also ensure people attending trials do not communicate with the jury. Bailiffs also announce courtroom rules and implement those rules. For instance, they inform people that smoking is prohibited in courtrooms or that court proceedings are disturbed by conversation. Bailiffs may remove or apprehend uncooperative people. Also, they contain those attending the trial who exhibit hostile behavior when they disagree with decisions. If necessary, bailiffs call the sheriff's office for assistance. In medical emergencies, they call for the medical staff.
Numerous trials last longer than one day. On occasion, judges come to a decision that jurors cannot go home until a trial is over. When this occurs, jurors have to stay at hotels. Bailiffs protect these hotels and accompany jurors to restaurants to ensure they do not have contact with other people.
Other duties of bailiffs include escorting prisoners to and from court, ensuring judges have case files and supplies, handling evidence, swearing in witnesses, and escorting prisoners to and from court.
The following list of professional duties is particular to this career.
- Announce entrance of judges.
- Contact sheriff's office for security or medical assistance.
- Check courtrooms for security and cleanliness. Make sure judges have case files and supplies.
- Escort juries to restaurants and other places outside of the courtroom.
- Guard hotels where juries are kept overnight. Maintain order in courtrooms during trials.
- Prevent contact with the public.
- Remove or arrest people who disrupt court procedure.
- Remove and keep unauthorized firearms from people who enter courtrooms.
- Stop people from entering courtrooms while judges are instructing juries.
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