Prior to 1891, those sentenced to death were executed within the walls of the County Jail in the presence of, and under the direction of the Sheriff. The Sheriff executes all processes and orders of the court when addressed to him. He executes all processes and orders of the court when addressed to him. He executes Writs of Attachment and safely keeps all the property of the defendant not exempt from execution. The Sheriff is directed, in some civil actions, to levy and seize property of a defendant, real and personal, which is liable to execution, and sells the property in satisfaction of the judgment.
Property is sold at a public auction to the highest bidder.
The Sheriff keeps the County Jail and is in complete charge of it. Prior to 1952, the Fresno County Sheriff was permitted to keep those fees paid him for service of civil papers, and warrants. He was provided a flat rate per prisoner in the jail and any of that amount not spent was kept by him. This was changed and the Sheriff now turns all monies over to the county general fund and is salaried at a flat rate determined by the Board of Supervisors. The Fresno County Sheriff's Department is divided into nine bureaus to facilitate the functional responsibility and tasks facing it.