Bailiff Assistant

Exactly what does a bailiff assistant do? Is it a sworn or civilian position?

It is a civilian position but most have some sort of law enforcement background. They are assigned a courtroom with a full time bailiff and have the same duties. It is not a bad job if you are retired and they certainly can use the help.

The only exception is there is no other baliff with the assistant, so you have an unarmed civilian in court that is supposed to protect unarmed LEO's whose guns are secured.

Is this correct? Low staffing would put the average assistant alone in the courtroom? Plus everybody is unarmed?

No it is not true. The primary reason Bailiffs are in the courtroom is to provide security to the Judge. There are always two Bailiffs assigned to a courtroom for Criminal court. In Civil court there are usually one. BUT when you have Bailiff Assistants, they are always assigned to a Bailiff.

As for the guns, all weapons must be secured prior to entering past security at the front door. The exceptions to this are SWAT mambers and other Bailiffs. I do not agree with the rule but the Chief Judge wants it that way.

Bailiff assignment is a great gig if you want some place to chill prior to retiring!