Policy Text
Court Security Division Page 1 of 14 2/01 (REV 6/11)
Duties: Bailiff
The purpose of this Operations Or der is to establish the genera l duties and procedures
for Deputy Sheriffs assigned to bailiff duties at any Sacrament o County Superior Court
facility. I. Authority
A. The Sheriff shall provide to t he Superior Cour t within the C ounty of
Sacramento court security servic es, including prisoner transpor tation,
prisoner escort services, bailiff services, courthouse and othe r court
building security, and the exec ution of court orders and bench warrants
requiring the immediate presenc e of a defendant or witness.
1. Government Code §26638.4(b)
B. The Sheriff, in attendance upon the court, shall act as crie r thereof. The
Sheriff shall call the parties, witnesses, and all other person s bound to
appear at the court and make pro clamation of the opening and
adjournment of the court and any o ther matter under its directi on.
1. Government Code §26611
C. The Sheriff shall enforce all lawful orders and directions o f all courts within
their county.
1. Government Code §26603
D. The court may prescribe the app roval by individual Superior Court judges
of the bailiffs assigned on a regul ar or continuing basis to th e courtrooms
of those judges.
1. Government Code §26638.8(b)
II. Basic Duties
A. The Bailiff is responsible for basic security in the courtro om.
1. Security includes providing s afety of the judge, jury, court staff,
litigants, spectators, and ot her users of the courtroom.
Court Security Division Page 2 of 14 2/01 (REV 6/11) B. The Bailiff shall see that decorum and good conduct are main tained in the
courtroom by all present as well as those in the hallway outsid e the
courtroom.
C. The Bailiff should be stationed in an appropriate location t o prevent
escape of prisoners and maintain good visual contact with the c ourtroom
audience.
D. The Bailiff shall notify Cour t Control of medical emergencie s occurring in
the courtroom and take appropr iate first aid measures.
E. The Bailiff shall remain ale rt and not engage in activities that distract or
reflect poorly on the officer , the Department, or the Court.
F. Since each court and judicial officer have specific needs an d duties, the
Bailiff should be thoroughly fam iliar with the required duties in the court to
which they are assigned.
G. Bailiffs may act, with prio r approval from a supervisor, as a driver for court
staff performing o fficial duties.
H. Bailiffs may, with prior appr oval from a supervisor, provide pick up and
delivery services for the o fficial needs of the Court.
III. General Duties Pr ior to Opening Court
A. Conduct a security check of t he courtroom and adjacent area for potential
weapons.
1. Remove or store items t hat may be used as weapons.
B. Properly arrange c hairs and seating.
C. Test microphones, if applicable. D. Ensure necessary materials and supplies are available.
E. Cordon off the first row of s pectator seats behind the court room railing for
proceedings involving inmates.
F. Bailiffs should remain in t he courtroom when the public door is unlocked,
or whenever the public is inside the courtroom.
G. While an inmate is present, t he Bailiff should remain in the courtroom.
1. Unless court duties require t he Bailiff to leave for a few m inutes.
a. The Escort Officer must agr ee to/permit this momentary
absence.
Court Security Division Page 3 of 14 2/01 (REV 6/11) b. If the absence will be for mo re than a few minutes, the Bail iff
should request a substitute.
H. Summon the judicial officer a fter all necessary parties are present.
IV. Specific Duties Prior to Opening Court
A. Gordon D. Sc haber Courthouse:
1. Review the calendar for in-cus tody proceedings and confirm
through JIMS the inmate(s ) have been transported.
a. If the inmate has not been scheduled through JIMS, the
Bailiff shall bring the matter to the attention of the Court
Clerk who will resolv e the situation.
(1) The Bailiff will advise C ourt Control and the Main Jail
court coordinator that there will be an “add-on” to the
transportation list and the court calendar.
(2) The Bailiff shall notify Court Transportation of the add-
on inmate.
b. If it appears the inmate wil l be delayed in their court
appearance, the Bailiff shall advise the judge of the possible
delay.
c . C o n f i r m t h e need for language interpreters.
2. Notify Court Control to have inmates escorted in anticipatio n of the
scheduled start time of the trial.
a. Even if all parties are not y et present in the courtroom.
b. This lead time may be up to ten minutes prior to the
scheduled start time.
c. Bailiffs should run related parties who potentially may be i n
the courtroom (i.e. audience), and advise the Escort Officer
of any subject(s) who have warr ants and/or noted cautions.
d. The Bailiff should provide the Escort Officer with the inmat e's
criminal history, remarks (PF4), and jail incident