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Bailiffs
Maintain order in courts of law.
Other titles employers use
Bailiff · Court Bailiff · Court Constable · Court Deputy · Court Officer · Court Security Officer · Deputy Bailiff · Deputy Court Services Sheriff
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
- Escort prisoners to and from courthouse and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
- Maintain order in courtroom during trial and guard jury from outside contact.
- Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
- Guard lodging of sequestered jury.
- Enforce courtroom rules of behavior and warn persons not to smoke or disturb court procedure.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, organizing and persuading work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Selective Attention
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.9 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.4 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.2 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 46%
- A two-year degree 33%
- A certificate or some college 21%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Document management software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Electronic mail software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 4,180
- Job openings each year
- 50
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 12.7%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 4,180 | 50 | 12.7% |
| Ohio | 1,490 | 200 | −3.2% |
| Georgia | 990 | 140 | 4.2% |
| Florida | 900 | 120 | 2.3% |
| Texas | 760 | 110 | 7.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 560 | 80 | −1.8% |
| Indiana | 500 | 70 | −3.8% |
| Kentucky | 490 | 70 | — |
| Michigan | 490 | 70 | −7.5% |
| Virginia | 480 | 70 | — |
| Illinois | 440 | 60 | −2.2% |
| Kansas | 430 | 60 | −4.4% |
| Massachusetts | 420 | 60 | — |
| Louisiana | 370 | 50 | — |
| Maryland | 370 | 50 | — |
| Maine | 300 | 40 | — |
| Wisconsin | 290 | 40 | −3.3% |
| Arizona | 250 | 30 | — |
| South Carolina | 250 | 40 | 4.2% |
| Missouri | 240 | 30 | — |
| Tennessee | 240 | 30 | 9.1% |
| Washington | 240 | 40 | 9.1% |
| Nevada | 230 | 30 | 4.5% |
| North Carolina | 180 | 20 | 12.5% |
| North Dakota | 170 | 20 | −5.6% |
| Colorado | 160 | 20 | 14.3% |
| Mississippi | 160 | 20 | — |
| Delaware | 110 | 20 | — |
| West Virginia | 110 | 20 | — |
| Alabama | 100 | 10 | — |
| Arkansas | 90 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Oregon | 80 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 70 | 10 | — |
| Minnesota | 70 | 10 | — |
| Nebraska | 50 | 10 | — |
| Wyoming | 30 | 0 | — |
| Virgin Islands | 20 | 0 | −33.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Degrees each year
- 1,454
- Admit rate
- 57%
- Annual cost after aid
- $7,000
Southern New Hampshire University
- Degrees each year
- 895
- Admit rate
- 96%
- Annual cost after aid
- $37,000
Sam Houston State University
- Degrees each year
- 888
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Liberty University
- Degrees each year
- 572
- Admit rate
- 99%
- Annual cost after aid
- $27,000
Florida State University
- Degrees each year
- 554
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
California State University-Sacramento
- Degrees each year
- 539
- Admit rate
- 94%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Florida International University
- Degrees each year
- 492
- Admit rate
- 59%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Degrees each year
- 476
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
Compare every college offering criminal justice and corrections