| Sheriffs enforce county laws. Sheriffs cover areas outside local police department jurisdiction. Sheriffs perform the same duties as police officers. Sheriff and deputy sheriffs respond to emergencies, arrest suspected criminals, patrol areas, and issue traffic citations. Sheriffs investigate crime scenes, collect evidence, and track down people with warrants out for their arrest. Sheriffs issue summons and subpoenas and occasionally provide courtroom security. Deputy sheriffs transfer prisoners between courtrooms and hospitals. Deputies also supervise prisoners incarcerated in the county jail and perform duties similar to a corrections officer. They also perform administrative work at county jails. Sheriffs maintain daily logs and prepare written reports that will be used in trials. Occupational activities:
| |
Criminal Justice Careers
Learn More About Criminal Justice Careers by Specialty
Featured Criminal Justice Articles
Explore Articles on Hot Topics in the Field of Criminal Justice
Breakthrough in Forensic Science
Forensic researchers in Tucson, Arizona have developed a revolutionary method that could allow scientists to predict what a person might look like using only their DNA. Scientists at the University of Arizona conducted a research project measuring the following characteristics of nearly 1,000 individuals: eye color, skin, and hair.
Read more
Does The Death Penalty Save Lives?
For the first time in over a generation, the question of whether the death penalty deters murders has captured the attention of scholars, sparking an intense new debate. About 12 current reports indicate each time a convicted murderer is executed, between 3-18 homicides do not occur.
Read more
Bounty Hunters -- Legit, or not?
Are bounty hunters legitimate law enforcement professional? There has been increasing controversy in the United States over bounty hunters, with concern voiced over the lack of control that a state has over their behavior. Court jurisdictions have permitted bounty hunters broad authority to locate and detain individuals fleeing to evade the legal process.
Read more