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County
Sheriff
by
Monty Rainey, Junto Society
The
county sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the
county, responsible for maintaining the peace and enforcing state
criminal laws. The sheriff must attend court and is required to
serve and execute processes, subpoenas, writs and orders as
directed by the court. The sheriff operates the county jail, and
must maintain and feed prisoners. The sheriff may also serve as
fire warden for prairie or forest fires in the county. Finally,
the sheriff performs certain functions in connection with sales
of real and personnel property to satisfy debt or tax liens.
Long
respected as the county's top lawman, the sheriff has a range of
duties that include criminal investigations, traffic enforcement,
operation of the jail and other responsibilities.
Other
duties of the sheriff include, but may not be limited to:
- Providing
security for the operation of county and district courts;
- Enforcing
traffic laws, other county ordinances and other state laws;
- Service
of process;
- Accepting
bail for prisoners in his custody;
- Conducting
sales of seized and unclaimed properties; and
- Taking
charge of and responsibility for the county jail and
prisoners.
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