Stuff I don't know

[jinx]

What does a bailiff do?

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by jinx

What does a bailiff do?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bailiff

Bailiff (from Late Latin bajulivus, adjectival form of bajulus) is a governor or custodian (cf. bail); a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction is committed. Bailiffs are of various kinds and their offices and duties vary greatly.

While many in the United States use the word bailiff colloquially to refer to an officer providing court security, few such officers are actually bailiffs. More often, these officers are called sheriff's deputies, marshals, or court officers. The terminology varies among (and sometimes within) the several states.

Whatever the name used, the agency providing court security is often charged with serving legal process and seizing and selling property (e.g., replevin or foreclosure). In some cases, the duties are separated between agencies in a given jurisdiction. For instance, a court officer may provide courtroom security in a jurisdiction where a sheriff handles service of process and seizures.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The judge has a bailiff. Goldfinger had Oddjob.