noun
bailiff
BAY-lif/ˈbeɪlɪf/
An officer who maintains order in court or carries out legal orders.
The bailiff calmly directs the courtroom audience to sit.
Etymology
Old French baillif meant an administrative official or deputy. English used the title for royal and local officers, including a sheriff’s subordinate who served writs—a direct connection to the modern court officer.
In context
if sheriff or bailiff should chance upon you near the body you might find yourself caught in the meshes of the law.