Bailiff

[Large Farva]

Has anyone worked as a Bailiff? If so did you like it? If not, why? What are you expected to do? Would you pick patrol or custody over being a bailiff?

Thanks

[DEPUTYBILL]

Has anyone worked as a Bailiff? If so did you like it? If not, why? What are you expected to do? Would you pick patrol or custody over being a bailiff?

Thanks

I retired as a regular deputy sheriff after @30 years. I then worked as a per diem (part-time) deputy in the courts.

I liked it. The courts I worked in called for criminal and civil matters. It could be dull at times, but it was interesting just listening to and seeing the way the justice system really works.

You and your fellow bailiff's are in charge of court security, safety, and just making the system move forward. It required handling paperwork, defendants(both in custody and out of custody), dealing with the public, lawyers, judges.

I would not recommend it for someone just starting in law enforcement. Patrol is were I learned the most, and had the best time.

[micro911]

8-4:30 holidays and weekends off. I think it was okay.

[Rockit]

I have some friends that prefer courts over custody.
+ no graves, holidays or weekends, inmates are usually on their best behavior.
- less $ and often absolutely mind numbing borebom

They all say it's all about the judge you work for.

[diverwcw]

On the positive side, I've known of deputies who work bailiff and basically get sponsored through law school then become prominent attorneys.

[9mmepiphany]

In my 28 year LE career, I think I worked as a baliff for about 6 years. I preferred it to Custody (different interactions, lunch choices) and found it a refreshing break from Patrol (nice to not be constantly understaffed).

The upside was that:
1. I was able to complete my college degree while working in the courts (incentive pay)
2. Had all the holidays and weekends off (family time)
3. Knew what time I'd get off each day (able to take on off-duty jobs or attend college classes)
4. Was able to easily get into specialized units (Gang Intel, Judicial Protection, Crowd control) and training (because some other bailiffs were in cruise mode)
5. A better understanding of how the Judicial system really works

Th downside was:
1. All holidays off (used up leave balances)
2. Closer supervision (than Patrol) on a daily basis...more PC
3. Unpaid lunch
4. More expensive parking (due to location of the Court)
5. Rush hour traffic

[Large Farva]

Thanks everyone! Is it hard to get into the position? Will you be able to work OT?

[DEPUTYBILL]

Thanks everyone! Is it hard to get into the position? Will you be able to work OT?

At my department, the court service workers were regular deputies that were assigned to work there. Some wanted to be there, others did not.
Per diem deputies were retired peace officers hired to work the courts.
Normally there was no overtime for the regulars. Per diems worked straight time hours.

You need to check with the agency you are interested in. Most courts are run by the county's sheriff.

[jdubs71]

Some agencies hire entry level deputies that typically go straight to the courts and jail unless they have CO's too. After a few years in the courts they can go out to patrol. Like mentioned, some deputies prefer the courts over the streets for various reasons and can spend most of their career there if they want. There is nothing like the experience you will gain from working patrol, you will see it all.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I have worked as a bailiff. Arraignment courts and prelim courts are very busy. Trial courts move much slower and can be boring to sit in all day. Judges wield a lot of juice and can make you go away if they don't like you. Most judges and prosecutors are pleasant to work with though.

[retired]

I worked as a bailiff for OT while assigned to patrol. At that time, there was rarely any OT at my station. I worked by myself in Civil Court a couple of times and assisted the regular bailiffs in Criminal Court.

I couldn't do that as an everyday assignment because for the most part, it was extremely boring. One Civil case was a medical malpractice and the testimony was very technical and boring. One alternate juror was admonished by the judge for falling asleep. The only non boring one was the courtroom attended by women trying to obtain a restraining order against their SO. You never knew if the SO would come to court with the intent to harm the woman.

I worked in one court where the regular bailiff advised me I had to put my gun in a drawer in the desk I sat at because the judge didn't want the jurors to be influenced by the sight of a gun. There were no locks on the desk and I really didn't want to comply but did. I told the sgt. afterward, I wouldn't work in that judge's courtroom again as that was an asinine policy and put me and the innocent people in the courtroom in possible danger. He said he understood. I would have probably been in trouble if I worked the courts instead of patrol and was assigned to that judge.

[John M]

I worked in the courts for 2 years when I started.. I got to know the lawyers, judges and saw some great trials, etc.. I think it was a great learning experience.

[gorn5150]

I spent around a year as a bailiff, not by my choice. It was ok duty. The judge I had liked to work past normal court hours which was annoying. If I had a choice I would take bailiff over jail and patrol over both. I know some agencies like CoCo allow you to burn jail time while assigned to courts. I was able to make some great relationships with many lawyers, defense and DA. So it wasn't a total loss.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I worked as a bailiff for about 16 years. If you can stand being around butthole judges and prima donna attorneys (or vice versa), mostly it's not bad work and the hours are mostly "normal people" hours. What you will be doing will vary widely from agency to agency, i.e., some agencies use jail deputies/COs to move inmates, my former agency did not; we went up to the jail and pulled inmates three or more times a day.

To be fair, not everyone in court fits into those two categories... some defense attorneys, for example, are honest practitioners doing what they are paid for. Some judges are actually interested in seeing that all parties in court receive what is due them. There are enough exceptions to make it a tough place to work unless you have a thick skin.