A bailiff is a legal officer who has authority to act as a custodian and is entrusted with the care and protection, guardianship, or jurisdiction of a person, land, or personal property pending further court action. The term "bailiff" can be used in various legal contexts, but some common usages include:

• Courtroom Security: A bailiff is a court official, usually a peace officer or deputy sheriff, who keeps order in the courtroom and handles errands for the judge and clerk. In this role, the bailiff acts as an intermediary between the judge and attorneys. The main job of a bailiff is court security. If someone does not behave in a courtroom, the bailiff can make that person leave the courtroom.

• Enforcement of Court Orders: In some jurisdictions, a bailiff is an officer of a court exercising civil law jurisdiction who is charged with the duty and responsibility of executing the orders of the civil jurisdiction of the court. Those orders are contained in warrants or orders including typically to seize and sell personal & real property, to evict tenants, to arrest and bring persons to that court who have failed to appear when summoned and to arrest and convey to prison persons who disobey orders of that court.

• Jury Management: The bailiff is responsible for signaling and notifying the judge when court is ready to proceed and for enforcing simple instructions and standards within the courtroom. In certain extreme cases, if a defendant tries to escape the courtroom, bailiffs are responsible for apprehending them. The bailiff also attends to the jury, keeping jurors isolated and free from outside influences. The bailiff directs jurors into the jury box as their names are called and challenges for cause begin. When the jury has been selected and has their first recess, they should be instructed by the bailiff regarding courtroom protocol.

To become a bailiff, many law enforcement agencies require just a high school diploma or GED, but some prefer candidates who have an associate or bachelor’s degree. An applicable major such as criminal justice, political science, or various law enforcement majors may help streamline the process of landing a bailiff job. Newly employed bailiffs may be hired on as a “trainee bailiff” and undergo further field training before being promoted to bailiff. The length of this training period varies in each jurisdiction. Additionally, many law enforcement agencies seek candidates with previous experience in policing, corrections, and courtroom administration.