Duties and Responsibilities of Union County Sheriff

Sheriff’s Duties and Responsibilities:

The sheriff is the county’s chief law enforcement officer. A sheriff is charged with keeping the peace within his county by causing all offenders in his view to enter into bonds (with sureties) for keeping the peace and appearing at the next circuit court. In case of refusal, the sheriff must commit such offenders. The sheriff certifies and returns said bonds to the court.

In addition, the sheriff is tasked with quelling riots, routs, affrays, and unlawful assemblages as well as preventing lynchings and mob violence. Wherever necessary, the sheriff shall call to his aid the power of the county.

Furthermore, the sheriff’s department shall pursue, apprehend, and commit to jail all persons charged with treason, felony, or other crimes. The sheriff may take bonds with good and sufficient sureties of any person whom he may arrest with or without a warrant for any felony that is bailable as a matter of law.

The sheriff serves as the executive officer of the circuit and chancery court for his county and shall attend all the sessions thereof with a sufficient number of deputies or bailiffs. The sheriff executes all orders and decrees of said courts directed to him to be executed and takes into custody as well as safely keeps all persons committed by order, process, etc. of either said court.

The sheriff also has charge of the county courthouse and jail, the premises belonging thereto, and the prisoners in said jail. He shall preserve said premises and prisoners from mob violence, any injuries or attacks by mobs or otherwise, trespasses, and intruders.

The sheriff serves as the county jailer and in the performance of his duties employs jailers to have charge of the prisoners in the jail.

The sheriff, by himself or his deputy, shall from time to time execute notices, writs, and other process from courts of law and chancery as well as legally-issued and directed orders and decrees and make due returns thereof to the proper court.

The sheriff is the custodian of the books (other than record books belonging to the county) and keeps the Mississippi Department Reports, census reports, statutes of the state, Mississippi Reports, digests, and legislative journals assigned to the county in a suitable and safe location in the courthouse courtroom.