SHERIFF Meaning and
Definition
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A sheriff is an official law enforcement officer, typically elected to serve within a specific jurisdiction, such as a county or parish. The term "sheriff" originates from the Old English word "shire reeve," which translates to "county steward." As a representative of the executive branch of government, the sheriff's primary role is to uphold law and order, maintain public safety, and protect the rights of citizens within their jurisdiction.
Sheriffs perform a diverse range of duties, including serving legal documents such as arrest warrants, subpoenas, and court orders, both civil and criminal. They are responsible for the operation and administration of county jails or correctional facilities, managing and overseeing prisoner transport, and providing courtroom security. Sheriffs may also carry out eviction proceedings, auctions, and property seizures.
Additionally, sheriffs often collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies on cooperative crime prevention efforts, investigations, and emergency response situations. They may be tasked with monitoring traffic safety, enforcing traffic laws, and providing general law enforcement services to unincorporated areas where there is no municipal police force.
The authority and precise responsibilities of a sheriff can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific laws of the region. However, as elected officials, sheriffs are ultimately accountable to the citizens they serve and are expected to prioritize public safety and uphold the law impartially.
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In Eng. and in the U.S., the chief officer of a shire or county, to whom is intrusted the execution of the laws; in Scot., the chief civil officer of a county, and sometimes of a city or burgh which is itself a county, who has extensive jurisdiction as a judge within his own district, both in civil and criminal matters.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Other Common Misspellings for SHERIFF
Etymology of SHERIFF
The word "sheriff" comes from the Old English term "scīrgerefa". The term is a combination of "scīr", meaning "shire" or "county", and "gerefa", which translates to "reeve" or "steward". In the early medieval period, the "scīrgerefa" was an official appointed by the King to maintain law and order in a shire or county. Over time, the term evolved into "shireeve" and then into "sheriff".
Similar spelling words for SHERIFF
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