Are they Court Officers or bailiffs or Courthouse Guards?

Question

I know people whose career consists of guarding courtrooms, the lockup in the courthouse and other parts of the courthouse. What would you call them officially. I've heard some people call them courthouse guards, others call them bailiffs, others call them court officers, and some just call them security guards but what is the official title for someone who is a guard at a courthouse?

Maxi · Answer

The terms used depends on the country...UK they could be generally "officers of the court" or court officals, bailiffs are now called "court sherriffs"

STEVEN F · Answer

Bailiffs ARE Officers of the Court.
The actual term depends on jurisdiction. In the UK the term Bailiff has a significantly different meaning than in the US.
In most of the US, the officers providing security in the courtroom are referred to as Bailiffs. Some jurisdictions have Sheriff's Deputies fill that role. I have never heard them officially called courthouse guards, but I can't say that term isn't used somewhere.

Tavy · Answer

Which country?  This is an international site.

? · Answer

They are usually called bailiffs, but some local courts may use other names.

Anonymous · Answer

It depends on the court.  Most typically it is Bailiff while in court.  But where I come from the bailiff's work for the county Sherriff, thus they are referred to as deputies (when court is not in session or outside of the courtroom).

Are they Court Officers or bailiffs or Courthouse Guards?

5 Answers