Sher"iff , n. [OE.
shereve, AS. scīr-ger&?;fa; scīr a shire +
ger&?;fa a reeve. See Shire, and Reeve, and cf. Shrievalty.]
The
chief officer of a shire or county, to
whom is intrusted the execution of the laws, the
serving of judicial writs and processes,
and the preservation of the peace.
&fist; In England, sheriffs are appointed by the king. In the United States, sheriffs are elected by the legislature or by the
citizens, or appointed and
commissioned by the executive of the State. The office of
sheriff in England is judicial and ministerial. In the United
States, it is mainly ministerial. The sheriff, by himself or
his deputies, executes civil and criminal process throughout the county, has charge of
the jail and prisoners, attends courts, and
keeps the peace. His judicial authority is generally confined to
ascertaining damages on writs of inquiry and the like. Sheriff, in Scotland, called
sheriff depute, is properly a
judge, having also certain ministerial powers. Sheriff clerk is the clerk
of the Sheriff's Court in Scotland. Sheriff's Court in London is a
tribunal having cognizance of certain personal actions in that city.
Wharton, Tomlins. Erskine.
Hear it pronounced