Bailiffs

Career summary

#4/3/19

Bailiffs provide security in courtrooms. They check courtrooms to make sure they are safe. They look for concealed guns, bombs, or other hazards. Bailiffs who find unauthorized weapons take them and store them in a safe location.

Bailiffs announce the entrance of judges into courtrooms. They prevent people from entering while judges are instructing juries. They make sure people watching trials do not talk to the jury.

They maintain order in the room during trials. They inform people of courtroom rules and enforce those rules. For example, they may tell people they are not allowed to smoke in the room or that their conversations are interrupting court proceedings.

Bailiffs may remove or arrest people who do not cooperate. They restrain people watching trials who act aggressively. They may contact the sheriff's office for help. They contact medical staff in case of medical emergencies.

Many trials last more than one day. Judges may decide that jurors cannot return to their homes until trials are over. Jurors must stay at hotels in these situations. Bailiffs guard jurors at hotels and escort them 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:

• Escort prisoners to and from court
• Handle articles of evidence
• Swear in witnesses

Related careers

This career is part of the Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Corrections Officers
• Court Clerks
• Parking Enforcement Officers
• Security Guards
• Sheriffs

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to bailiffs.

• Remove and keep unauthorized firearms from people who enter courtrooms.
• Maintain order in courtrooms during trials.
• Guard hotels where juries are kept overnight.
• Escort juries to restaurants and other places outside of the courtroom. Prevent contact with the public.
• Remove or arrest people who disrupt court procedure.
• Contact sheriff's office for security or medical assistance.
• Check courtrooms for security and cleanliness. Make sure judges have case files and supplies.
• Announce entrance of judges.
• Stop people from entering courtrooms while judges are instructing juries.

Common work activities

Bailiffs perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform for or work with the public
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Assist and care for others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Update and use job-related knowledge

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, bailiffs:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They spend most of their day talking to or observing people.
• Deal with unpleasant or angry people every day.
• Are often placed in conflict situations.
• Are greatly responsible for the safety of jurors and people in the courtroom.
• Must deal with violent or physically aggressive people weekly.
• Speak often in front of a group.
• Communicate with coworkers daily by telephone and in person.
• Work as part of the courtroom team.

Physical work conditions

• Often wear a uniform.
• Mostly work indoors. Occasionally they work outdoors while escorting jurors.
• Are often exposed to loud or distracting noises.
• Work near other people, but have a few feet separating self from others.

Work performance

• Must constantly be aware of changing events in the courtroom.
• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors could result in serious injuries to judges, jurors, or prisoners.
• Make decisions often that affect others.
• Meet strict deadlines daily.
• Can make most decisions without consulting a supervisor.
• Can set some tasks and goals on their own.
• Repeat the same physical and mental tasks throughout the day.

Hours/travel

• Usually work 40 hours a week.
• May work evenings or weekends when escorting or guarding jurors.

Physical demands

Bailiffs frequently:

• Repeat the same movements.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for bailiffs to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for bailiffs to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.

Skills and abilities

Bailiffs need to:

Communicate

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Corrections
• Criminal Justice
• Law Enforcement and Police Science

Other programs of study to consider

• Criminology
• Security Studies

Training

To work as a bailiff, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• moderate-term, on-the-job training;
• meet your state's minimum age requirement;
• pass a physical exam and background check; and
• have no felony convictions.

Education after high school

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement for this occupation. However, many bailiffs have training beyond high school. Many have a degree in law enforcement or criminal justice. Some community colleges and universities offer these programs.

Training requirements for bailiffs vary by state. In general, you need to complete the police academy. This training takes from three to six months. You study laws and ordinances, self-defense, and first aid. You also learn how to handle emergencies and use weapons.

Work experience

Experience as a sheriff's deputy or police officer is good preparation for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Many bailiffs are sheriff's deputies and learn bailiff duties through on-the-job training. You work with an experienced bailiff to learn the job. Training may last a few months up to a year.

Some court systems offer formal training programs. In general, these programs take one month to complete. You learn how to protect judges and defend yourself in close quarters. You also learn jury, prisoner, and evidence handling procedures.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Criminal Justice Assisting
• Legal System
• Military ROTC
• Physical Education
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers require bailiffs to have a high school diploma or equivalent. They may also require applicants to pass a background check or drug-screening test. Personality and judgment are very important in this field. Senior officers interview candidates to determine their judgment, integrity, and sense of responsibility. Some agencies have psychologists perform the interviews or administer personality tests.

Employers of bailiffs who will do clerical duties in addition to security look for clerical skills. These employers prefer people who can learn general office practices and legal procedures. They also prefer people who can learn to use computer systems.

Employers look for applicants who have good communication skills. Some employers prefer applicants who have a background in law enforcement.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Bailiffs 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by level of the court and area of the country. The bailiff's level of responsibility and number of years on the job also affect wages.

Bailiffs who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include health and dental insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation. Most employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Federal, state, and local government court systems

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will show little to no change over the next few years. All bailiffs work for the government. Many state governments have moved toward laws requiring shorter prison terms and alternatives to prison. The level of crime also affects the number of jobs for bailiffs. If the crime levels increase, more bailiffs will be needed to work in courts. If the crime level decreases, the number of bailiffs may be reduced.

Other resources

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 

US Department of Justice 

References

Career cluster

• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Bailiffs (33-3011.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupation

• Bailiff (377.667-010) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising
• Realistic/Enterprising/Conventional

COPSystem

• Service Skilled