Pros and Cons to Becoming a Bailiff
Many bailiffs find pride in working with the government and law enforcement agencies. You get to uphold various laws by ensuring courts are protected. Additional pros and cons to becoming a bailiff can be read below.
| Pros to Becoming a Bailiff |
|---|
| Participate in the justice system by guarding the judge and jury* |
| Transfers and retirees are expected to open up new bailiff positions* |
| On-the-job training is normally provided* |
| Promotional opportunities with training, experience and certification* |
| Cons to Becoming a Bailiff |
|---|
| Slow job growth (5% between 2012-2022)* |
| Injuries can occur from conflicts at the court* |
| Must to be constantly alert, which can cause stress* |
| Paid overtime can be required* |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Career Information
Job Description
Bailiffs are typically assigned a post at the start of the day. For example, you might be assigned to screen people who are entering the courthouse, which is done to collect dangerous items and contraband, like firearms. A bailiff also patrols the outside and inside of a courthouse for suspicious activity. When a court employee, like a judge, needs an escort for protection purposes, you'll provide it. Additionally, you may be required to escort a prisoner while that person is on the premises. When a courtroom is in trial, you'll maintain the proper procedures and warn anyone who happens to be in violation of them. If someone is repeatedly disruptive, you'll remove them from the courtroom.
Salary Info
As of May 2013, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that bailiffs on average earn about $19.53 a hour and around $40,620 yearly (www.bls.gov). The top tenth percentile of wage estimates for bailiffs was reported to be roughly $67,700. The local and state governments are the primary employers for bailiffs. New York, California, Nevada, Iowa, and Florida are the top paying states for bailiffs.
Essential Career Requirements
Training and Education
Bailiffs are required to have a GED or a high school diploma in most cases. Work experience in the area of law enforcement or security is generally preferred. An associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in police science or criminology is beneficial as well. Sometimes, you'll also be tested on your physical attributes to ensure you can perform your work duties.
Bailiffs should have good moral character. They should also be trustworthy and possess an excellent sense of judgment when it comes to assessing a situation. Remaining disciplined while in interpersonal situations is important to keep emotionally distraught people under control.
What Do Employers Want in Bailiffs?
In addition to education and experience, most employers require applicants to pass a background check. To learn more about what employers look for in a bailiff, read the following real job postings that were available in April 2012.
- An employer with a bailiff opening in Nevada prefers applicants to possess post-secondary education in police science or criminology.
- In Arizona, the state is looking for a bailiff that has two years of experience in clerical court tasks.
- A sheriff's office in Florida wants a bailiff with a Corrections Training or Basic Law Enforcement Certification.
Standing Out as a Bailiff
Completing a formal training program in law enforcement or correctional work can help give a bailiff the necessary experience to stand out amongst other applicants. For example, the American Correctional Association sets training guidelines for correctional officers. By attending a formal academy, you'll receive instruction on security procedures. Additionally, you'll learn about proper operations and regulations to handling prisoners. A police training program can help you get into the shape necessary to be a bailiff. Finally, any and all experience that you have working around courtrooms is beneficial to standing out as a bailiff.
Alternative Career Options
Instead of working in a courtroom, you can work on the streets as a police patrol officer. Normally you'll be assigned a specific area to patrol in order to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. When a call comes in over the radio, you'll answer it and report to the location given to you. Once there, you'll investigate and assess the situation at hand and act appropriately to enforce the law. In May 2011, the BLS reported that police patrol officers made roughly $56,000 on average annually.
If you'd rather work in the private sector, consider becoming a security guard. In this occupation, you'll protect your employer's property and enforce necessary laws at the location you're assigned. Your job is to repel and deal with criminal activities. You might patrol the grounds or use surveillance equipment to monitor your employer's place of business. The average yearly earnings for security guards were about $27,000 according to the BLS in May 2011.
