Editing Sheriff

{{short description|Government official in some countries with historical ties to England}}
{{other uses}}{{Distinguish|text=[[Sharif]], an Islamic title; or [[Sherif]], a proper name derived from the Islamic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
A '''sheriff''' is a [[government official]], with varying duties, existing in some countries with  historical ties to [[England]] where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in [[Iceland]], the {{lang|is|sýslumaður}}, which is commonly translated to English as ''sheriff''.

==Description==
In [[British English]], the political or legal office of a sheriff, term of office of a sheriff, or jurisdiction of a sheriff, is called a shrievalty<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrievalty|title=Definition of SHRIEVALTY}}</ref> in England and Wales, and a [[sheriffdom]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishlaw.org.uk/scotlaw/sheriff.htm|title=Sheriff Courts and Sheriffdoms in Scotland - Scots Law|publisher=Kevin F Crombie|date=2009|access-date=19 April 2017}}</ref> in Scotland.

In modern times, the specific combination of legal, political and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country.
* In [[England]], [[Northern Ireland]], or [[Wales]], a sheriff (or [[high sheriff]]) is a ceremonial county or city official.
* In [[Scotland]], sheriffs are [[judge]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/36/0/Sheriffs|title=Sheriffs - Judicial Office Holders - About the Judiciary |website=Judiciary of Scotland|access-date=2015-04-07|archive-date=2018-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817210101/http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/36/0/Sheriffs|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In the [[Republic of Ireland]],  in some counties and in the cities of [[Dublin]] and [[Cork (city)|Cork]], sheriffs are legal officials similar to [[bailiff]]s.
* In the [[United States]], a [[Sheriffs in the United States|sheriff]] is a sworn [[law enforcement officer]] whose duties vary across states and counties. A sheriff is generally an elected [[County (United States)|county]] official, with duties that typically include policing [[unincorporated area]]s, maintaining county [[jail]]s, providing security to courts in the county, and (in some states) serving [[warrant (law)|warrants]] and court papers. In addition to these policing and correction services, a sheriff is often responsible for enforcing [[civil law (common law)|civil law]] within the jurisdiction.
* In [[Canada]], sheriffs exist in various forms, with duties and powers depending on the province. In general, the provincial sheriff services manage and transport court prisoners and serve court orders. In some provinces, sheriffs provide security for the court system, protect public officials and support investigations by local police services. In [[Alberta]], sheriffs perform various law enforcement duties in a supplementary capacity, such as traffic enforcement and responding to 9-1-1 calls in rural areas.
* In [[Australia]] and [[South Africa]] sheriffs are legal officials similar to [[bailiff]]s. In these countries there is no link maintained between counties and sheriffs.
* In [[India]], a sheriff is a largely ceremonial office in a few major cities.

==Europe==
===United Kingdom===
{{further|High sheriff|List of shrievalties|Sheriffs of the City of London}}
The [[Old English]] term designated a royal official, a reeve,  responsible for managing a [[shire]] or county on behalf of the king. The term is a contraction of {{anchor|shire reeve}} "[[shire]] [[Reeve (England)|reeve]]"  ([[Old English]] {{lang|ang|scīrgerefa}}).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ncsheriffs.org/about/history-of-the-sheriff |title=History of the Sheriff |website=North Carolina Sheriffs' Association |access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheriff |title=Sheriff |website=Merriam-Webster |access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=sheriff&searchmode=none|title=Online Etymology Dictionary}}</ref> 

The sheriff had a series of duties that included keeping the peace and providing [[men at arms]] to support the king in times of strife. Another important duty was the collection of taxes on behalf of the crown. This process involved each division of the county (known as the [[Hundred (division)|hundred]]) paying [[danegeld#Norman era|geld]] (a form of land tax). To assess how much people had to pay, a clerk and a knight were sent by the king to each [[county]]. They sat with the sheriff of the county and with a select group of local [[knights]] (two knights from each hundred). After it was determined what geld was to be paid, the knights of the hundred and the bailiff of the hundred were responsible for getting the money to the sheriff, and the sheriff was responsible for getting the money to the [[Exchequer]].<ref name=Bartlett>{{Cite book|last=Bartlett|first=Robert|title=England Under the Norman and Angevin Kings 1075 -1225|year=2000| editor= J.M.Roberts|publisher=OUP|location=London|isbn=978-0-19-925101-8|pages=165–167}}</ref>

Sheriffs loyal to certain nobles could and did sabotage the careers of [[Knight|knights]] against whom they, or a noble they were loyal to, bore a grudge.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Schama |first=Simon |author-link=Simon Schama |title=A History of Britain 1: 3000 BC-AD 1603 At the Edge of the World? |title-link=A History of Britain (TV series)#DVDs and books |publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]] |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-563-48714-2 |edition=Paperback 2003 |location=London |pages=153, 155}}</ref> Groups of sheriffs with significant connections had more ''[[de facto]]'' power in the legal system than most English knights, despite their lack of land.<ref name=":12" />

The term and duties were preserved in England even after the [[Norman Conquest]]. However, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the role evolved over the centuries. In modern times the sheriff or [[high sheriff]] is a ceremonial county or city official. Some commercial organisations use the term to refer to [[High Court enforcement officers]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01q1j5d|access-date=8 July 2019|title=The Sheriffs Are Coming|website=[[BBC]]}}</ref> who were known as ''sheriff's officers'' prior to 2004.

====Scotland====
{{Main|Sheriff court|Sheriff principal}}
In [[Scotland]] the sheriff is a [[judge|judicial office holder]] in the [[sheriff court]]s, and they are members of the [[judiciary of Scotland]].<ref name="scottishsheriffs">{{cite web|title=Sheriffs - Judicial Office Holders - About the Judiciary - Judiciary of Scotland|url=http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/36/0/Sheriffs|website=www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk|publisher=Judicial Office for Scotland|access-date=3 April 2017|language=en|date=2017|archive-date=17 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817210101/http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/36/0/Sheriffs|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====''Sheriffs principal''=====
The most senior sheriffs are the [[sheriff principal|sheriffs principal]], who have administrative as well as judicial authority in the six [[sheriffdom]]s, and are responsible for the effective running and administration of all the sheriff courts in their jurisdiction. Sheriffs principal also sit as appeal sheriffs in the [[Sheriff Appeal Court]]; hearing appeals against [[sentence (law)|sentencing]] and [[conviction]] from [[summary offence|summary trials]] in the sheriff courts and [[justice of the peace court]]s.<ref name="profileprincipal">{{cite web|author1=Judicial Office for Scotland|title=The Office of Sheriff Principal|url=https://www.judicialappointments.scot/sites/default/files/files/information_pages/The%20Office%20of%20Sheriff%20Principal.doc|website=www.judicialappointments.scot|publisher=Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland|access-date=4 April 2017|date=March 2016|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230011832/https://www.judicialappointments.scot/sites/default/files/files/information_pages/The%20Office%20of%20Sheriff%20Principal.doc|url-status=dead}}</ref> The additional duties of a sheriff principal include being [[Northern Lighthouse Board|Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouse Board]] (which is the [[general lighthouse authority]] for Scotland), and chairing local criminal justice boards which bring together local representatives of [[Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service|procurator fiscal]], [[Police Scotland]] and [[Community Justice Scotland]], and [[Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service]].<ref name="NLB">{{cite web|title=Schedule 8 of Merchant Shipping Act 1995|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/21/schedule/8|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|publisher=The National Archives|access-date=2 April 2017|language=en|date=19 July 1995}}</ref><ref name="localboards">{{cite web|title=Local Criminal Justice Boards|url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/archive/law-order/Local|website=www.gov.scot|publisher=Scottish Government|access-date=2 April 2017|language=en|date=3 April 2006|archive-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125025441/http://www.gov.scot/Topics/archive/law-order/Local|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====''Sheriffs''=====
Sheriffs deal with the majority of civil and criminal court cases in Scotland, with the power to preside in [[solemn proceedings]] with a [[Trial by jury in Scotland|jury of 15]] for [[indictable offence]]s and sitting alone in summary proceedings for [[summary offence]]s. A sheriff must be [[legal education|legally qualified]], and have been qualified as an [[Faculty of Advocates|advocate]] or [[Law Society of Scotland|solicitor]] for at least 10 years. The maximum sentencing power of sheriff in summary proceedings is 12 months [[imprisonment]], or a [[fine (penalty)|fine]] of up to £10,000. In solemn proceedings the maximum sentence is 5 years imprisonment, or an unlimited fine.<ref name="scottishsheriffs" />

Sheriffs also preside over [[fatal accident inquiry|fatal accident inquiries]] which are convened to examine the circumstances around sudden or suspicious deaths, including those who die in the course of employment, in [[Detention (imprisonment)|custody]], or in secure accommodation.<ref name=FAI1976>{{cite web| url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1976/14 | title=Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Act 1976 | publisher=Legislation.gov.uk | date=13 April 1976 | access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref><ref name="FAI">{{cite web|author1=Judicial Office for Scotland|title=The Office of Sheriff|url=https://www.judicialappointments.scot/sites/default/files/files/information_pages/The%20Office%20of%20Sheriff.doc|website=Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland|access-date=4 April 2017|page=9|language=en|format=DOC|quote=34) The sheriff is required to make certain findings and is empowered to make recommendations to avoid a recurrence of the incident.|archive-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161230071915/https://www.judicialappointments.scot/sites/default/files/files/information_pages/The%20Office%20of%20Sheriff.doc|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=====''Summary sheriffs''=====
[[Summary sheriff]]s hear [[civil case]]s brought under Simple Procedure and criminal cases brought under summary proceedings. Their sentencing powers are identical to a sheriff sitting in summary proceedings.<ref name="summarysheriffs">{{cite web|title=Summary Sheriffs - Judicial Office Holders - About the Judiciary - |website=Judiciary of Scotland|url=http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/39/0/Summary-Sheriffs|publisher=Judicial Office for Scotland|access-date=3 April 2017|language=en|date=2017|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403111308/http://www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk/39/0/Summary-Sheriffs|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Republic of Ireland===
In the Republic of Ireland, a sheriff ({{Langx|ga|sirriam}}<ref>{{cite web |author=Foras na Gaeilge |title=sheriff |url=https://www.tearma.ie/q/sheriff/en/ |access-date=11 July 2019 |website=téarma.ie |publisher=Dublin City University}}</ref>) is appointed under section 12(3) of the Court Officers Act 1945, to perform some of the functions that would otherwise be performed by the [[county registrar]].<ref name="hyland20122">{{cite web |last1=Hyland |first1=Paul |date=5 August 2012 |title=Explainer: Who and what are Ireland's sheriffs? |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/explainer-irelands-sheriffs-541570-Aug2012/ |access-date=11 July 2019 |website=TheJournal.ie |language=en}}</ref><ref name="irishstatutebook19452">[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1945/act/25/section/12/enacted/en/html#sec12 Court Officers Act 1945, s.12]</ref><ref name="courtsservice2">{{cite web |title=Role of County Registrar |url=http://www.courts.ie/offices.nsf/0/8980B57008F0A15E802573D0006849DF?OpenDocument |access-date=11 July 2019 |publisher=Courts Service of Ireland}}</ref> In practice, two types of sheriff have been appointed:<ref name="hyland20122" />

Four sheriffs (one each for [[Sheriff of Dublin City|Dublin city]], [[Sheriff of County Dublin|County Dublin]], [[Cork city]], and [[County Cork]]) are full-time public officials whose responsibilities are:<ref name="hyland20122" /><ref name="courtsservice2" /><ref name="sheehan20132">{{cite news |last1=Sheehan |first1=Maeve |date=22 December 2013 |title=Good, bad and ugly side of being the city's sheriff |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/good-bad-and-ugly-side-of-being-the-citys-sheriff-29859088.html |access-date=11 July 2019 |work=Sunday Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref name="merrionstreet20182">{{cite press release |title=Government makes appointments to Sheriff posts |date=30 November 2018 |url=https://merrionstreet.ie/en/News-Room/Releases/Government_makes_appointments_to_Sheriff_posts.html |language=en |last1=Nick |first1=Callan |access-date=11 July 2019 |website=merrionstreet.ie}}</ref>

* enforcing [[Court order|court orders]] of the [[Circuit Court (Ireland)|Circuit Court]], such as [[eviction]] or [[debt collection]]
* acting as [[returning officer]] in [[Elections in the Republic of Ireland|public elections]]
* executing tax certificates on behalf of the [[Revenue Commissioners]]

{{anchor|Revenue sheriff}}Fourteen sheriffs, colloquially called "Revenue sheriffs", have only the third of the preceding functions, the others being done by the county registrar's office.<ref name="hyland20122" /><ref name="dail19882">{{cite web |date=17 February 1988 |title=Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revenue Sheriffs. |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1988-02-17/5/ |access-date=11 July 2019 |website=Dáil Éireann (25th Dáil) debates |publisher=Oireachtas |language=en-ie}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2018-11-30 |title=Government makes appointments to Sheriff posts |url=https://merrionstreet.ie/en/news-room/releases/government_makes_appointments_to_sheriff_posts.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=MerrionStreet.ie |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2024 |title=Guidelines for Sheriff Enforcement |url=https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/collection/enforcement/sheriff-enforcement.pdf |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Revenue Commissioners}}</ref> Revenue sheriffs are [[Solicitor#Republic of Ireland|solicitors]] in private practice. Each covers a [[Bailiwick]], which consist of one or more of [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|the state's remaining counties]]. The Bailiwicks are grouped by counties as follows: [[County Carlow|Carlow]] and [[County Kildare|Kildare]]; [[County Cavan|Cavan]], [[County Leitrim|Leitrim]], [[County Longford|Longford]] and [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]]; [[County Clare|Clare]] and [[County Limerick|Limerick]]; [[County Donegal|Donegal]]; [[County Galway|Galway]]; [[County Kerry|Kerry]]; [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]] and [[County Waterford|Waterford]]; [[County Laois|Laois]], [[County Offaly|Offaly]] and [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]]; [[County Louth|Louth]], [[County Meath|Meath]] and [[County Westmeath|Westmeath]]; [[County Mayo|Mayo]]; [[County Roscommon|Roscommon]] and [[County Sligo|Sligo]]; and [[County Wexford|Wexford]] and [[County Wicklow|Wicklow]].<ref name="dail19882" />

Prior to the 1922 creation of the [[Irish Free State]], Irish law regarding sheriffs mirrored that of England,<ref name="hyland20122" /> latterly with each [[administrative county]] and [[county borough]] having a ceremonial [[High Sheriff#Ireland|high sheriff]] and functional [[Under-sheriff|under-sheriffs]] responsible for enforcing court orders of the [[County court#Ireland|county court]] or [[quarter sessions]].<ref name="hyland20122" /> The [[Courts of Justice Act 1924]] replaced these courts with a new circuit court.<ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1924/act/10/enacted/en/print.html Courts of Justice Act 1924, ss. 37, 51]</ref> The Court Officers Act 1926 formally abolished high sheriffs and phased out under-sheriffs by providing that, as each retired, his functions would be transferred to the county registrar,  established by the 1926 act as an officer of the circuit court.<ref name="hyland20122" /><ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1926/act/27/enacted/en/print Court Officers Act 1926 ss.35, 38, 52, 54]</ref> When the Dublin city under-sheriff retired in 1945, the city registrar was too overworked with other responsibilities to take over his duties, so the Court Officers Act 1945 was passed to allow a new office of sheriff to take over some or all of the under-sheriff's functions.<ref name="hyland20122" /><ref name="irishstatutebook19452" /> The four Dublin and Cork sheriffs were soon appointed, with much of the under-sheriff's responsibilities.<ref name="hyland20122" /> Revenue sheriffs were introduced for the rest of the state in the late 1980s as part of a crackdown on [[tax evasion]].<ref name="hyland20122" /><ref name="dail19882" />  In 1993 the [[Comptroller and Auditor General (Ireland)|comptroller and auditor general]] expressed concern that funds collected and held in trust by sheriffs on behalf of the revenue commissioners were at risk of [[commingling]].<ref>{{cite web |date=15 June 1993 |title=Written Answers. - Collection of Moneys by Sheriffs |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/ga/debates/debate/dail/1993-06-15/51/ |access-date=19 July 2019 |website=Dáil Éireann (27th Dáil) proceedings |publisher=Oireachtas |language=Irish}}</ref> This was reformed in 1998 by prohibiting sheriffs from retaining the interest earned on such monies and, to compensate, increasing their [[Retainer agreement|retainer]].<ref name="dail19992">{{cite web |last1=O'Donoghue |first1=John |date=24 June 1999 |title=Courts (Supplemental Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, 1999: Second Stage |url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1999-06-24/11/#para_308 |access-date=19 July 2019 |website=Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) debates |publisher=Oireachtas |language=en-ie}}; {{cite web |title=S.I. No. 314/1998 - Sheriffs' Fees and Expenses Order, 1998 |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1998/si/314/made/en/print |access-date=19 July 2019 |website=electronic Irish Statute Book (eISB) |language=en}}</ref> Through to the 1990s the sheriff's post was in the gift of the [[Minister for Justice (Ireland)|minister for justice]], but by the 2010s it was advertised by the [[Public Appointments Service]].<ref name="dail19992" /><ref name="sheehan20132" /><ref name="merrionstreet20182" /> A 1988 [[Law Reform Commission (Ireland)|Law Reform Commission]] report made recommendations for updating the 1926 law on sheriffs;<ref>{{cite web |date=October 1988 |title=Debt collection: (1) the law relating to sheriffs |url=https://publications.lawreform.ie/Portal/External/en-GB/RecordView/Index/30504 |publisher=[[Law Reform Commission (Ireland)|Law Reform Commission]] |id=LRC 27-1988}}</ref> {{As of|2023|lc=y}} few of these had been implemented, and the government began a review of the role of sheriffs in state work.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 2023 |title=Examining the Role of Sheriffs in Respect of State Work |url=https://www.lawlibrary.ie/reports/examining-the-role-of-sheriffs-in-respect-to-state-work |access-date=15 January 2024 |publisher=[[Bar of Ireland]] |page=14 |format=PDF}}</ref>

Under section 12(5) of the Court Officers Act 1945, an appointee for sheriff must be either:

* A barrister who has practiced for no less than five years; or
* A solicitor who has practiced for not less than five years; or
* Have acted for not less than five years as managing clerk or principal assistant to an under-sheriff or sheriff.<ref name=":0" />

==Asia==

===India===
{{see also|Category:Sheriffs of India}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2017}}
Among cities in [[India]], only [[Sheriff of Mumbai|Mumbai]] (Bombay), [[Sheriff of Kolkata|Kolkata]] (Calcutta) and [[Sheriff of Madras|Chennai]] (Madras), the three former British presidencies, have had sheriffs. First established in the 18th century based on the English high sheriffs, they were the executive arm of the judiciary, responsible for assembling jurors, bringing people to trial, supervising the gaoling (imprisonment) of prisoners and seizing and selling property. After the mid-19th century the responsibilities and powers of the role were reduced and the positions became ceremonial. The sheriffs of Mumbai and Kolkata still exist, although the post in [[Chennai]] was abolished in 1998.

In present times the sheriff has an apolitical, non-executive role, presides over various city-related functions and conferences and welcomes foreign guests. The post is second to the mayor in the protocol list.
===Philippines===
In the [[Philippines]], a former [[History of the Philippines (1898–1946)|colony]] of the United States, the office of sheriff also exists. The duties of a sheriff are to primarily serve all writs, execute all processes, and carry into effect all decisions and orders issued by the courts. Sheriffs execute process without attempting to determine their validity.<ref>{{cite web |title=MANUAL OF INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHERIFFS OF THE NLRC - CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY |url=https://chanrobles.com/nlrcsheriffsmanual.html |website=chanrobles.com |access-date=29 October 2023}}</ref>

==Oceania==
===Australia===
{{Main|Law enforcement in Australia}}

A sheriff's office exists in most [[States and territories of Australia|Australian states and territories]], with various duties.

* Before 1824, prisons in the British [[penal colony]] of [[New South Wales]] were overseen by the [[provost marshal]]. This title/position was replaced by that of sheriff when a ''charter of justice'' was [[proclamation|proclaimed]] in 1824.<ref name="O'Toole">Sean O'Toole, ''The History of Australian Corrections'' (University of New South Wales Press, 2006) p. 48.</ref> In addition to detaining accused criminals awaiting trial, the sheriff executed [[death sentence]]s and other sentences, controlled [[gaol]]s, and handled prison movements, including the [[chain gang]]s that worked on [[Goat Island (Port Jackson)|Goat Island]] and in [[Sydney]].<ref name="O'Toole"/>  In 1867, the sheriff began to be replaced by an independent prisons department, led by an [[inspector general]], which was later renamed [[Comptroller General|comptroller general]]. Most Australian states adopted this mode of prison oversight for many years.<ref name="O'Toole"/> In New South Wales, the office of the sheriff is part of Courts and Tribunal Services. The office has more than 400 employees at 58 sheriffs' offices.  In addition to enforcing [[writ]]s, warrants, and property seizure orders issued by New South Wales courts and [[tribunal]]s, the office of the sheriff also provides court security and administers the state's [[jury]] service.<ref>[http://www.courts.justice.nsw.gov.au/Pages/cats/catscorporate_aboutus/catscorporate_officeofsheriff/catscorporate_officeofsheriff.aspx Office of the Sheriff of New South Wales], [[Government of New South Wales]] (accessed August 20, 2016).</ref>
* In [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], the sheriff's office is part of the Victoria Department of Justice and Regulation. The office enforces [[Warrant (law)|warrant]]s and orders issued by [[Australian court hierarchy|Victoria courts]] dealing with unpaid [[fine (penalty)|fine]]s (in criminal matters) and unpaid [[money judgment]]s (in civil matters).<ref>[https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/justice-system/sheriffs-in-victoria Sheriffs in Victoria], Victoria Department of Justice and Regulation (accessed August 20, 2016).</ref> The Victoria sheriff's office has various enforcement powers against [[judgment debtor]]s; they may seize and sell a debtor's assets to satisfy a judgment, place a [[wheel clamp]] on a debtor's car, or direct [[VicRoads]] to suspend a debtor's [[Driving licence in Australia|driver's license]] or [[Vehicle registration plates of Australia|vehicle registration]].<ref>[https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/justice-system/sheriffs-in-victoria/sheriff-enforcement-powers Sheriff enforcement powers], Victoria Department of Justice and Regulation (accessed August 20, 2016).</ref>
* The Sheriff of Western Australia – also known as the Sheriff of the [[Supreme Court of Western Australia|Supreme Court]], Marshal of the [[Family Court of Western Australia|Family Court]] and Marshal of the [[Federal Court of Australia|Federal Court]] in Western Australia – is an officer of those courts, as well as the [[District Court of Western Australia|District Court]] and the [[Magistrates Court of Western Australia|Magistrates Court]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ar.dotag.wa.gov.au/S/sheriff_of_western_australia.aspx?uid=1350-3819-6245-4389|title=Sheriff of Western Australia|first=Department of the Attorney|last=General|date=10 October 2023 }}</ref> The Sheriff has two main roles.
** ''Enforcement services'': managing the [[Service of process|serving]] of court documents, including summonses, and the execution of writs, warrants and orders to recover unpaid fines or debts resulting from court judgments; as such, the Sheriff is also responsible for the appointment of bailiffs – who carry out the above services on behalf of the sheriff.
** ''Jury services'': preparing jury books, which list people potentially available for jury duty, within 17 jury districts in Western Australia, as well as actually summoning people to act as jurors in the Supreme and District courts. The sheriff also investigates any failure by jurors to attend court and also has responsibility for the day-to-day management of juries sitting in the [[Perth metropolitan area]].

===New Zealand===
{{Main|Sheriffs in New Zealand}}

Sheriffs in New Zealand are officers of the Superior Courts and function as the executive arm of these courts. The role of sheriff is automatically given to anyone who has gained the position of Registrar of the High Court.

==North America==
===Canada===
{{see also|Law enforcement in Canada#Sheriffs services}}
Every province and territory in Canada operates a sheriffs service. In most of Canada, sheriffs are almost exclusively concerned with courtroom security, post-arrest offender transfer, the serving of legal processes, and the execution of civil judgments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cruise-ship-arrest-iqaluit-1.5250546|title=Cruise ship gets arrested in Iqaluit and it's a rare occurrence, says official|date=2019-08-19|access-date=2022-07-06|website=CBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manitoba.ca/justice/courts/sheriff.html|title=Sheriff Services|access-date=2022-07-06|website=Government of Manitoba}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/12_263_2009 | title=Sheriff Powers, Duties and Responsibilities Regulation }}</ref> Regardless of their exact duties, sheriffs, sheriff's deputies, and sheriffs officers are considered under "peace officers" in the [[Criminal Code (Canada)|Criminal Code]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-1.html|title=Criminal Code, R.S.C., 1985, c. C-46|website=Justice Laws Website|date=20 September 2023 }}</ref>

====Alberta====
{{main|Alberta Sheriffs Branch}}
[[File:Alberta Sheriff Ford Transit Van.jpg|thumb|A prisoner transport van used by the Alberta Sheriffs Branch]]
The [[Alberta Sheriffs Branch]] is responsible for courtroom and legislative security, offender transport, commercial vehicle safety and enforcement, and fish and wildlife enforcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alberta.ca/sheriff-career.aspx|title=Sheriffs|website=Government of Alberta|date=8 February 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7382258/alberta-fish-and-wildlife-police-calls-aupe/|title=Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers answering dangerous police calls deserve more money: AUPE|website=Global News}}</ref> In addition to this uniquely broad mandate, the Branch operates a highway patrol, which supplements local and RCMP policing on provincial highways.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alberta sheriffs make highway debut this weekend |publisher=CBC |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-sheriffs-make-highway-debut-this-weekend-1.618379 |access-date=2008-06-03 |date=September 1, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701044227/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-sheriffs-make-highway-debut-this-weekend-1.618379 |archive-date=July 1, 2008 }}</ref>

In 2019, sheriffs began to respond to 9-1-1 calls in rural areas to assist the RCMP and local police services in responding to rural crime concerns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6135912/alberta-rural-crime-lawsuits/|title=Alberta moves to prevent lawsuits against homeowners protecting property|website=Global News}}</ref> In 2023, the province piloted a program that saw sheriffs patrol alongside municipal police officers in [[Calgary]] and [[Edmonton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmonton-police-sheriff-partnership-extended-to-end-of-year|title=Edmonton police, sheriff partnership extended to end of year|website=Edmonton Journal}}</ref>

====British Columbia====
[[File:BC Sheriff Ford CVPI.jpg|thumb|A [[British Columbia Sheriff Service]] [[Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor]]]]
{{main|British Columbia Sheriff Service}}

The [[British Columbia Sheriff Service]] is responsible for courtroom security and offender transport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/courthouse-roles/sheriff-service|title=About the BC Sheriff Service|website=Government of British Columbia}}</ref>

The issuance of court orders is the responsibility of court bailiffs. These services are contracted out to private civil law enforcement firms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/bailiffs|title=Court bailiffs|website=Government of British Columbia}}</ref>

====Newfoundland and Labrador====
{{main|High Sheriff of Newfoundland and Labrador}}
The Office of the High Sheriff of Newfoundland and Labrador provides protection and enforcement duties in support of the provincial, supreme, and appeal courts in the province.<ref name="OHS">{{cite web |title=Office of the High Sheriff |url=https://www.gov.nl.ca/jps/department/branches/division/division-sheriffs-office/ |website=Newfoundland and Labrador |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="SOR">{{cite web |last1=DesRoches |first1=Leigh F. |title=Sheriff's Office Review |url=https://www.gov.nl.ca/jps/files/publications-pdf-sheriffs-office-review-march2014.pdf |website=Newfoundland and Labrador |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> The sheriffs also assists local law enforcement agencies with additional resources to ensure public safety under the provincial Emergency Preparedness Program.

====Nova Scotia====
In Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Sheriff Services focuses on the safety and security of the judiciary, court staff, the public, and persons in custody. There are local sheriffs for every county in Nova Scotia, numbering over 200 in total. They work with up to 20,000 inmates and travel over 2 million kilometres in a year. Sheriffs are responsible for: court security; the transportation of prisoners to and from institutions and all levels of court; the service of some civil and criminal documents; and the execution of court orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://novascotia.ca/just/court_services/sheriff.asp|title=Sheriff Services - novascotia.ca}}</ref>

==== Ontario ====
In Ontario, sheriffs are part of the Enforcement Office in the [[Ontario Superior Court of Justice|Superior Court of Justice]], which was previously named (and is still sometimes referred to as) the Sheriff's Office. They are mainly responsible for issuing and enforcing writs of the court, such as in jury selection, debt collection and evictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ontariocourtforms.on.ca/en/|title=Ontario Court Forms|access-date=2023-10-16|website=Ontario Court Services}}</ref> Courtroom security and offender transport services are provided by local police services or, where none exists, the [[Ontario Provincial Police]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ontario.ca/page/courts-and-court-services|title=Courts and court services|access-date=2022-07-06|website=Government of Ontario}}</ref>

==== Quebec ====
Sheriffs ({{lang|fr|shérifs}}) are responsible for the jury selection process.<ref>{{Cite web|last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca|first=Zone Société-|title=Être shérif en 2017 : l'art de constituer et d'encadrer un jury|url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1030799/proces-sherif-jury-jures-palais-justice-deliberation|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Radio Canada|date=29 April 2017 |language=fr-ca}}</ref> They handle court orders, orders, and writs while they are involved in seizure and sale of property.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Sheriffs and Bailiffs {{!}} Gouvernement du Québec | url=https://www.quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/exploring-trades-occupations/4421-sheriffs-and-bailiffs | access-date=2024-12-31 | website=www.quebec.ca}}</ref>

Court security is the responsibility of armed provincial [[Special constable#Canada|special constables]], while offender transport is the responsibility of the province's correction service.

===United States===
{{Main|Sheriffs in the United States}}

The sheriff is most often an elected county official who serves as the chief civilian [[Law enforcement officer#United States|law enforcement officer]] of their jurisdiction.<ref name="SD" /><ref name="FAQ" /> The sheriff enforces court orders and mandates and may perform duties such as [[evictions]], seizing property and assets pursuant to court orders, and serving [[warrant (law)|warrants]] and [[service of process|legal papers]]. In some counties where urban areas have their own [[police department]]s, a sheriff may be restricted to [[Civil procedure in the United States|civil procedure]] enforcement duties, while in other counties, the sheriff may serve as the principal [[police]] force and have jurisdiction over all of the county's [[Municipality|municipalities]], including those that maintain their own [[municipal police]] departments.<ref name="FAQ">{{cite web |title=FAQ |url=https://www.sheriffs.org/about-nsa/faq |website=[[National Sheriffs' Association]] |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> A sheriff often administers the county jails and is responsible for court security functions within their jurisdiction.<ref name="SD">{{cite web |title=Sheriff's Duties |url=https://clermontsheriff.org/sheriffs-duties/ |website=[[Clermont County, Ohio]] |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref> The office of sheriff as county official in [[Thirteen Colonies|colonial North America]] is recorded from the 1640s.<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=England & United States History |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/sheriff/information/England-United-States-history.html#:~:text=The%20modern%20word%20%E2%80%9CSheriff%E2%80%9D%2C,and%20enforcing%20the%20Kings%20Orders. |website=[[Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (Maryland)]] |access-date=20 January 2024}}</ref>
In the modern United States, the scope of a sheriff varies across [[U.S. state|states]] and [[County (United States)|counties]] (which in [[Louisiana]] are called "parishes" and in [[Alaska]] "boroughs").

==South Africa==
{{main article|Sheriffs in South Africa}}
In South Africa, the sheriffs are officers of the court and function as the executive arm of the court. They are responsible for serving court processes like summonses and subpoenas. They play an important role in the execution of court orders like the attachments of immovable and movable property; evictions, demolitions etc.

The Sheriffs Act&nbsp;90 of 1986, which came into operation on 1&nbsp;March 1990, governs the profession. A sheriff is appointed by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development in terms of Section&nbsp;2 of the Act.<ref>{{cite web |title=S.A. Board for Sheriffs |website=sheriffs.org.za |url=http://www.sheriffs.org.za |access-date=2021-06-04 }}</ref>

==Related offices==
{{further|Reeve (England)|Landvogt|Landgericht (medieval)|Bailiff (France)|Huissier de justice}}

===Norway===
{{Unreferenced section|date=May 2024}}
In [[Norway]] until 2021 there was the office of {{lang|no|[[Lensmann#Modern_police_officer|lensmann]]}}, which in their mostly rural police districts had functions similar to those of a US sheriff, consisting of the duties of {{Clarify|text=civilian as well as criminal peace officers.|date=May 2024}}

The {{lang|no|lensmann}} was directly subordinate to the {{lang|no|[[fylkesmann]]}} (county governor) until 1994, when the office became subordinate to the local chief of police ({{lang|no|politimester}}). In 2000, a lot of civilian duties were transferred to the regular police ({{lang|no|politi}}), and much of the difference between the {{lang|no|politi}} and {{lang|no|lensmann}} disappeared. The office is now called {{lang|no|politistasjonssjef}} (police station chief), or in some places{{lang|no|politiavdelingssjef}} (police unit chief).

Because the police has taken over most typical 'sheriffs' duties from the year 2000 onwards, there is no longer a difference between the former rank of a "sheriff's deputy" ({{lang|no|lensmannsbetjent}}) and that of a regular police officer ({{lang|no|politibetjent}}).

The lensmann has been elected by the [[Municipal_council#Norway|municipal council]] since the year 1293{{Dubious|date=May 2024}}, but was nominated by the {{lang|no|[[sysselmann]]}}, the appointed governor.

===Iceland===
{{Main|Sýslumaður}}
In [[Iceland]], ''sýslumenn'' (singular {{lang|is|sýslumaður}}, translated "sheriff")<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.glosbe.com/en/is/Sheriff|title=Sheriff in Icelandic - English-Icelandic Dictionary &#124; Glosbe}}</ref> are administrators of the [[State (polity)|state]], holders of the [[executive power]] in their [[Jurisdiction (area)|jurisdiction]] and heads of their Sheriff's Office. Sheriffs are in charge of certain legal matters that typically involve registration of some sort and executing the orders of the court. The duties of the sheriffs differ slightly depending on their jurisdiction but they can be broadly categorised as:

* Duties of all sheriffs: [[Marriage|marital]] matters (such as general registration of [[marital status]] and performing [[civil marriage]]s), [[Age of consent|statutory]] matters, [[inheritance]] matters and more.<ref>{{cite web
|url         = http://www.syslumenn.is/allir
|title       = Verkefni allra sýslumanna
|language    = is
|trans-title=Tasks of all sheriffs
|access-date  = 31 January 2012}}</ref>

* Duties of all sheriffs except in [[Reykjavík]]: collection of public fees, publication of licences and permits for various personal and business purposes and more.<ref>{{cite web
|url         = http://www.syslumenn.is/utanrvk/
|title       = Verkefni sýslumanna utan Reykjavíkur
|language    = is
|trans-title=Tasks of sheriffs outside Reykjavík
|access-date  = 31 January 2012}}</ref>

* Special duties of some sheriffs: in some jurisdictions the sheriff is also the [[police commissioner|commissioner of police]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.syslumenn.is/serstok-verkefni/
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070629020702/http://www.syslumenn.is/serstok-verkefni/
 |url-status    = dead
 |archive-date = 29 June 2007
 |title       = Sérstök verkefni sýslumanna
 |language    = is
 |trans-title = Special tasks of sheriffs
 |access-date  = 31 January 2012
}}</ref>

There are 24 sheriffs and sheriff jurisdictions in Iceland. The jurisdictions are not defined by the [[administrative divisions of Iceland]] but are mainly a mixture of [[County|counties]] and [[Municipality|municipalities]].

The post of sheriff was mandated by the [[Old Covenant (Iceland)|Old Covenant]], an agreement between the [[Icelandic Commonwealth]] and the [[Norway|Kingdom of Norway]]. The agreement which was ratified between 1262 and 1264 makes the post of sheriff the oldest secular position of government still operating in Iceland.<ref>{{cite web
|url         = http://www.syslumenn.is/syslumenn/saga-embaettanna/
|title       = Saga sýslumanna
|language    = is
|trans-title=History of sheriffs
|access-date  = 31 January 2012
|quote       = Sýslumanna er fyrst getið hérlendis í einu handriti að sáttmála þeim sem Íslendingar gerðu við Noregskonung og öðlaðist staðfestingu á árunum 1262 til 1264 og síðar var nefndur Gamli sáttmáli, en með sáttmála þessum má segja að Íslendingar hafi gerst þegnar Noregskonungs. Eru sýslumenn elstu veraldlegu embættismenn sem enn starfa hérlendis og hafa alla tíð verið mikilvægur hluti stjórnsýslunnar.}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Constable]]
* [[Marshal]]
* [[Police]]
* [[Sheriff of Nottingham]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wiktionary|sheriff}}
{{Types of law enforcement agencies}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sheriffs| ]]
[[Category:Judiciary of Scotland]]
[[Category:Law enforcement occupations]]
[[Category:Legal professions]]
[[Category:Titles]]
[[Category:Positions of authority]]