Legal Definitions - vice-sheriff

Definition: A vice-sheriff is a deputy sheriff who performs most of the duties of the sheriff's office under the direction of the sheriff. The sheriff is the chief peace officer of a county who is usually elected and responsible for executing civil and criminal process, acting as custodian of the county jail, and carrying out judicial mandates within the county. The term vice-sheriff is also known as undersheriff, general deputy, or deputy sheriff.

• When the sheriff is unavailable, the vice-sheriff takes charge of the sheriff's office and performs all the duties of the sheriff.
• The vice-sheriff is responsible for maintaining law and order in the county and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
• In some jurisdictions, the vice-sheriff may be appointed for a special occasion or purpose, while an undersheriff is a permanent position.

These examples illustrate how a vice-sheriff is a deputy sheriff who assists the sheriff in performing their duties and may act as the sheriff in their absence. The vice-sheriff is an important position in law enforcement and helps to maintain the safety and security of the county.