What is the primary role of the Sheriff's Department?

The primary role of the Sheriff's Department revolves around maintaining the jail and transporting court papers. Sheriffs are typically responsible for law enforcement within a county, and their duties include managing the county jail, ensuring the security of inmates, and facilitating the transport of those individuals to and from court hearings. Additionally, they handle service of process for legal documents, which is a critical function in the judicial process to ensure that individuals are properly notified of legal actions.

This focus on local county operations highlights the Sheriff's Department's primary responsibility to uphold law and order at the county level, supporting the judicial system effectively. The duties of conducting international investigations, overseeing city police departments, or enforcing federal laws generally fall outside the traditional scope of a Sheriff's responsibilities, which are more centered on local community policing and judicial support.