Court Bailiffs

One of the statutory duties of the Sheriff as compelled by North Carolina law is to provide Deputies or Bailiffs to assist in the operation of the Courts of Haywood County.  The Bailiffs are there to ensure that the Justice expected in our democratic system is available to all by providing a safe environment in which the citizens of Haywood County can conduct their civic business, settle disputes, redress grievances, and answer for their crimes in an orderly and peaceful manner. 

There are currently nine full time Deputies and Bailiffs assigned to the Haywood County Justice Center and a pool of several part time Deputies that are regularly called upon to assist as needed.  The operations of the Bailiffs are supervised by a Lieutenant.   
 
The Haywood County Justice Center is an ultra-modern three story facility next door to the old historic Haywood County Courthouse.  The facility boasts a state-of-the-art security system with sophisticated surveillance cameras controlled and monitored at all times by a Bailiff.  All doors are also electronically secured and controlled by the Bailiffs, as well.  There is only one entrance to the building available to the public.  The entrance is equipped with a metal detector manned by a Bailiff at all times to ensure that no weapons are brought into the facility.  The facility also provides a six-level covered parking deck with elevators and sheltered access to the entrance to the facility.

At all times that the Justice Center is open a Bailiff must be available at the metal detector.  Bailiffs ensure the safety of all citizens entering the facility by searching bags and briefcases and scanning everyone with the metal detector.  On average, the Bailiffs search approximately 530 people per day.  That amounts to 137,800 searches a year.

Bailiffs also handle an average of 12 inmates per day in the courtrooms.  This often requires a Bailiff to be dedicated only to handling the inmates.