reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 184. Processing of passport applications

§ 184. Processing of passport applications
The county clerk shall, if so directed by the assistant judges, accept and process applications for U.S. passports pursuant to memorandums of understanding entered into under 4 V.S.A. § 691. (Added 2011, No. 1, § 11, eff. February 2, 2011.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 211. Appointment; vacancy

§ 211. Appointment; vacancy
Biennially, on February 1, the assistant judges shall appoint a treasurer for the county who shall hold office for two years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. If the treasurer dies or in the opinion of the assistant judges becomes disqualified, they may appoint a treasurer for the unexpired term. If the treasurer has his or her duties suspended as a condition of release pending trial for violating 13 V.S.A. § 2537, the assistant judges of the county shall appoint a person to perform the duties of the treasurer until the charge of violating 13 V.S.A. § 2537 is resolved. If the assistant judges cannot agree upon whom to appoint, the Auditor of Accounts shall make the appointment. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 2007, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 174.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 212. Bond

§ 212. Bond
Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, a county treasurer shall become bound to the county in the sum of $5,000.00, with sufficient sureties, by way of recognizance, before the assistant judges, or give a bond to the county executed by principal and sureties in like sum to be approved by the assistant judges, conditioned for the faithful performance of his or her duties. The recognizance or bond shall be lodged with and recorded by the county clerk and renewed annually in the month of February. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 175.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 213. Accounts; disbursements

§ 213. Accounts; disbursements
The treasurer shall keep proper entries of monies received and paid out, under appropriate accounts, so that the revenue of the county and the disbursements shall appear in detail. No money shall be paid out of the county treasury except upon the order of the county clerk.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 214. Care of lands in unorganized towns and gores; lease lands

§ 214. Care of lands in unorganized towns and gores; lease lands
The treasurer shall have the care of the lands in unorganized towns and gores in the county, granted as glebes, lands granted to the use of the ministry or the social worship of God, lands granted to the first settled minister, and lands granted or reserved for the use or support of schools, until such towns or gores are organized, but this section shall not affect a lease or contract respecting such lands made under previous law. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 64.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 215. Lands in unorganized towns and gores; power to sue and defend actions

§ 215. Lands in unorganized towns and gores; power to sue and defend actions
During the time the towns or gores described in section 214 of this subchapter remain unorganized, the treasurer may commence and prosecute or defend in the name of the county any action necessary to recover or protect the possession of such lands or to recover damages for trespass committed thereon. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 65.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 216. Lands in unorganized towns and gores; rents

§ 216. Lands in unorganized towns and gores; rents
(a) The treasurer may lease the lands described in section 214 of this subchapter in such manner as he or she judges beneficial, reserving rents for the same, which shall annually be paid into the treasury of the county, until the town or gore in which the lands lie is organized. Thereafter the rents shall be paid into the treasury of the town in which the lands lie.
(b) Lands granted to the first settled minister shall not be leased at any one time for a longer period than five years, or until a minister is settled who is entitled to the same. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 66.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 217. Disposal of rents of lands in unorganized towns and gores

§ 217. Disposal of rents of lands in unorganized towns and gores
When paid into the county treasury, the rents described in section 216 of this subchapter shall be disposed of as other funds in the treasury. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 67.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 219. Treasurer to levy tax to meet execution

§ 219. Treasurer to levy tax to meet execution
When demand is made of a county treasurer for the payment of an execution against the county and there are not funds in the treasury sufficient to satisfy such execution, such treasurer shall forthwith issue the certified statement required by 32 V.S.A. § 4965 and shall issue warrants to the several treasurers of the towns for the collection of a tax sufficient to pay such execution, the charges thereon, 12 percent interest, and other incidental expenses, returnable within 60 days from the date of such warrants.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 220. Tax warrant; payment by town

§ 220. Tax warrant; payment by town
Each town treasurer shall present the warrant described in section 219 of this subchapter to the selectboard, which shall, within the time required by the warrant, draw an order on the town treasury for the amount of such warrant and that treasurer shall forthwith pay the county treasurer the amount of such order, which amount shall be assessed by the selectboard as a tax upon the grand list of the town unless otherwise provided for. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 68.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 221. Annual statement; penalty

§ 221. Annual statement; penalty
(a) Annually, on or before February 5, a county treasurer shall make settlement with the county auditor and deliver to the assistant judges of the county a statement of his or her accounts for the year ending on January 31 preceding, exhibiting the orders accepted by him or her, giving the number, date, amount, and payee of each, the amount and source of revenue of the county and each item thereof, the orders paid by him or her, giving the number, date, and amount of each, to whom made payable and for what purpose drawn, the amount of interest paid thereon, the amount of indebtedness of the county, with a copy of the abstract of orders outstanding and unpaid at the commencement of such year, and the orders accepted by him or her during such year.
(b) A county treasurer who fails to comply with a provision of this section, or who knowingly makes a false return, shall be fined not more than $500.00.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 223. Statement compared, corrected, and filed

§ 223. Statement compared, corrected, and filed
The assistant judges shall compare such statement with the record of the county clerk of orders drawn upon the treasurer for such year, and after correcting errors therein shall cause the same to be recorded in the office of the county clerk.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 224. Annual reports; publication; penalty

§ 224. Annual reports; publication; penalty
(a) Within 14 days after the receipt of such statement, the assistant judges shall publish annually such a summary as will show the source and amount of the income of the county, the items and amount of expenditures by the treasurer for the year, together with the indebtedness of the county, and such other facts as to the financial condition of the county as they deem important. Such publication shall be made in not more than three newspapers in the county, or if a newspaper is not published in the county, in some newspaper having general circulation therein.
(b) An assistant judge who fails to comply with a provision of this section shall be fined not more than $500.00. (Amended 1991, No. 186 (Adj. Sess.), § 35, eff. May 7, 1992.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 261. County financial audit

§ 261. County financial audit
(a) Biennially, all of the accounts of the county treasurer, including any reserve funds, shall be subject to a financial audit conducted according to the generally accepted government accounting standards as established by the federal government accounting office. The audit shall be performed by a public accountant regulated under Title 26 and shall be conducted within four months after the close of the fiscal year being audited. The accountant’s report shall be accompanied by a management letter containing findings and recommendations.
(b) The assistant judges shall enter into a contract with a public accountant to perform the audits required by this section. The assistant judges may enter into a multiple year contract under this section, provided that the person to whom a contract is awarded is selected by use of an open request for proposals process. (Added 1997, No. 107 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1999.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 291. Bond; oath

§ 291. Bond; oath
Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, a sheriff shall become bound to the treasurer of the county in the sum of $100,000.00, with two or more sufficient sureties by way of recognizance, before the two assistant judges in such county, or give a bond to the treasurer executed by such sheriff with sufficient sureties in like sum to be approved by the two assistant judges, conditioned for the faithful performance of his or her duties and shall take the oath of office before one of the judges, who shall certify the same on the sheriff’s commission. Such recognizance or bond and the commission shall be forthwith recorded in the office of the county clerk. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 1991, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 176.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 293. Duties

§ 293. Duties
(a) A sheriff so commissioned and sworn shall serve and execute lawful writs, warrants, and processes directed to the sheriff, according to the precept thereof, and do all other things pertaining to the office of sheriff.
(b) A sheriff shall maintain a record of the sheriff’s work schedule, including work days, leave taken, and any remote work performed outside the sheriff’s district for a period of more than three days.
(c) If an individual who has a relief from abuse order pursuant to 15 V.S.A. § 1103 requires assistance in the retrieval of personal belongings from the individual’s residence and that individual requests assistance from a sheriff’s department providing law enforcement services in the county in which that individual resides, the sheriff’s department shall provide the assistance.
[Effective January 1, 2024]
(d) A sheriff shall provide law enforcement and security services for each county and State courthouse within the sheriff’s county of jurisdiction in accordance with section 291a of this title. (Amended 2023, No. 30, § 6, eff. May 31, 2023; 2023, No. 30, § 6c, eff. January 1, 2024.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 293. Duties [Effective January 1, 2024]

§ 293. Duties [Effective January 1, 2024]
(a) A sheriff so commissioned and sworn shall serve and execute lawful writs, warrants, and processes directed to the sheriff, according to the precept thereof, and do all other things pertaining to the office of sheriff.
(b) A sheriff shall maintain a record of the sheriff’s work schedule, including work days, leave taken, and any remote work performed outside the sheriff’s district for a period of more than three days.
(c) If an individual who has a relief from abuse order pursuant to 15 V.S.A. § 1103 requires assistance in the retrieval of personal belongings from the individual’s residence and that individual requests assistance from a sheriff’s department providing law enforcement services in the county in which that individual resides, the sheriff’s department shall provide the assistance.
(d) A sheriff shall provide law enforcement and security services for each county and State courthouse within the sheriff’s county of jurisdiction in accordance with section 291a of this title. (Amended 2023, No. 30, § 6, eff. May 31, 2023; 2023, No. 30, § 6c, eff. January 1, 2024.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 294. Sheriff imprisoned

§ 294. Sheriff imprisoned
If a sheriff is confined in prison by legal process, his or her functions as sheriff shall be suspended. When the sheriff is released from imprisonment during his or her term of office, he or she shall file a certificate of his or her discharge signed by one of the judges of the Superior Court, in the office of the county clerk, and deliver a like certificate to the high bailiff. Thereupon he or she shall resume the powers and execute the duties of sheriff. (Amended 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 177.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 296. Transportation of prisoners

§ 296. Transportation of prisoners
All commitments to a State correctional facility or to any other place named by the Commissioner of Corrections or committing court shall be made by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, State Police officer, police officer, or constable in the State, or the Commissioner of Corrections or his or her authorized agent. (Amended 1967, No. 345 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. April 1, 1969; 1969, No. 33, § 3, eff. April 1, 1969; 1989, No. 187 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1995, No. 174 (Adj. Sess.), § 3; 2007, No. 15, § 19; 2011, No. 79 (Adj. Sess.), § 29a, eff. April 4, 2012.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 296a. Civil liability resulting from escaped prisoner

§ 296a. Civil liability resulting from escaped prisoner
A jailer or other officer who, through negligence, suffers a prisoner in his or her custody, convicted of or charged with a crime, to escape, shall be civilly liable to any person proximately damaged as a result thereof to the maximum amount of $500.00. A person so damaged may maintain a civil action therefor. (Added 1977, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. April 17, 1978.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 299. Duties as peace officer

§ 299. Duties as peace officer
A sheriff shall preserve the peace using force only as permitted pursuant to 20 V.S.A. chapter 151. A sheriff may apprehend, without warrant, individuals assembled in disturbance of the peace and bring them before the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, which shall proceed with such individuals as with individuals brought before it by process issued by the court. (Amended 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. July 1, 1965, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1973, No. 249 (Adj. Sess.), § 78, eff. April 9, 1974; 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 238; 2023, No. 30, § 8, eff. May 31, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 302. Power to search; return

§ 302. Power to search; return
In the daytime, a sheriff may enter and search houses, buildings, or other places for a person for whose apprehension he or she has a warrant, issued in a criminal prosecution, a prosecution for bastardy, or on a bailpiece. He or she may so enter with a warrant or extent for the collection of taxes, or the collection of a fine, or with a warrant to search for goods or chattels stolen or purloined, when such property is supposed to be secreted therein. He or she shall not make return in any case that he or she cannot execute any such precept.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 303. Obstructing sheriff; penalty

§ 303. Obstructing sheriff; penalty
A person who refuses a sheriff entrance to his or her house or other buildings as provided in section 302 of this title, or threatens him or her or abuses him or her or his or her assistants before or after he or she has entered such buildings, or hinders him or her in any way in the execution of the warrants provided for in section 302, shall be fined not more than $200.00.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 304. Liability for misfeasance of deputy

§ 304. Liability for misfeasance of deputy
Actions for official misfeasance or neglect of a deputy sheriff, or for cause affecting his or her administration of the office, shall be sustained only against the sheriff; but the sheriff shall not be amenable criminally for the conduct of his or her deputy, other than for fines for neglect of duty.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 305. Not to appear as counsel, or make writ

§ 305. Not to appear as counsel, or make writ
A sheriff or deputy sheriff shall not appear in any court as counsel, nor make a writ, complaint, answer, or other precept or process, except in his or her own cause. A writ, complaint, or other process herein prohibited made by him or her shall be dismissed and the defendant recover his or her costs.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 307. Deputy sheriffs; appointments and revocation

§ 307. Deputy sheriffs; appointments and revocation
(a) A sheriff may appoint deputies who need not be legal residents of the State, one or more of whom shall be a woman. The duties of deputy sheriffs shall be the same as those imposed by law on sheriffs and other peace officers in the enforcement of the criminal law. A deputy shall not perform an official act until his or her deputation and oath are filed for record in the office of the county clerk. A sheriff may dismiss a deputy and revoke his or her deputation. Such revocation shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk and shall take effect from the day of such record.
(b) A sheriff may appoint persons as deputy sheriffs to serve civil process, including child support enforcement as provided in 15 V.S.A. § 800, whom the sheriff shall train and supervise. Such deputies need not be qualified law enforcement officers, but if not so qualified shall not have arrest powers, and shall not carry firearms in performance of their duties in serving civil process.
(c) The powers of deputy sheriffs with respect to criminal matters and the enforcement of the law may be exercised statewide. (Amended 1977, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1987, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Jan. 26, 1988; 2009, No. 146 (Adj. Sess.), § C20; 2013, No. 49, § 4.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 308. Deputy sheriffs; no compensation for appointment; penalty

§ 308. Deputy sheriffs; no compensation for appointment; penalty
(a) A sheriff shall not ask of or receive from his or her deputies any pay, compensation or reward by way of deputation fee, or otherwise, for such appointments.
(b) A sheriff who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not more than $200.00 nor less than $50.00. (Amended 2017, No. 74, § 69.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 309. Bonds of deputies; liability of sheriff; deputy’s powers and duties

§ 309. Bonds of deputies; liability of sheriff; deputy’s powers and duties
A sheriff shall be liable for the official acts and neglects of his or her deputies, and may take bonds of indemnity from them. Such deputies may, and when required, shall perform any official duty which may be required of the sheriff. Returns of their acts and doings shall be signed by them as deputy sheriffs, and their official acts shall be deemed to be the acts of the sheriff.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 311. Training requirements

§ 311. Training requirements
No person may receive an appointment as a deputy sheriff unless he or she has been awarded a certificate by the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Training Council attesting to his or her satisfactory completion of an approved basic training program, except as provided in section 307(b) of this title. (Added 1971, No. 7, § 2, eff. July 1, 1971; amended 1977, No. 218 (Adj. Sess.), § 6.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 312. Jurisdiction of sheriffs

§ 312. Jurisdiction of sheriffs
The powers of sheriffs with respect to criminal matters and the enforcement of the law may be exercised statewide. (Added 1987, No. 122 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 26, 1988; amended 1991, No. 257 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2015, No. 2, § 3, eff. March 12, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 313. Conflict of interest; appearance of conflict of interest

§ 313. Conflict of interest; appearance of conflict of interest
(a) Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are considered public servants for the purposes of 3 V.S.A. § 1202(1). A conflict of interest may also exist when a member of a sheriff’s or deputy sheriff’s immediate family or household, or the sheriff’s or deputy sheriff’s business associate, or an organization with which the sheriff or deputy sheriff is affiliated, interferes with the proper discharge of a lawful duty. A conflict of interest does not include any interest that is not greater than that of other individuals generally affected by the outcome of the matter.
(b) A sheriff or deputy sheriff shall avoid any conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. When confronted with a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest, a sheriff or deputy sheriff shall disclose the conflict of interest to the Sheriff’s Executive Committee, recuse themselves from the matter, and not take further action on the matter.
(c) The Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs shall establish procedures for forwarding ethics complaints from any source to the State Ethics Commission based on the procedures set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 1223.
(d) Nothing in this section shall require a sheriff or deputy sheriff to disclose confidential information or information that is otherwise privileged under law. “Confidential information,” as used in this subsection, means information that is exempt from public inspection and copying under 1 V.S.A. § 315 et seq. or is otherwise designated by law as confidential. (Added 2023, No. 30, § 4, eff. May 31, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 314. Sheriffs; annual disclosure

§ 314. Sheriffs; annual disclosure
(a) Annually, each sheriff shall file with the State Ethics Commission a disclosure form that contains the following information in regard to the previous 12 months:
(1) Each source, but not amount, of personal income of the sheriff and of the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner, and of the sheriff together with the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner, that totals more than $5,000.00, including any of the sources meeting that total described as follows:
(A) employment, including the employer or business name and address and, if self-employed, a description of the nature of the self- employment without needing to disclose any individual clients; and
(B) investments, described generally as “investment income.”
(2) Any board, commission, or other entity that is regulated by law or that receives funding from the State on which the sheriff served and the sheriff’s position on that entity.
(3) Any company of which the sheriff or the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner, or the sheriff together with the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner, owned more than 10 percent.
(4) Any lease or contract with the State held or entered into by:
(A) the sheriff or the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner; or
(B) a company of which the sheriff or the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner, or the sheriff together with the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner, owned more than 10 percent.
(b) In addition, if a sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner is a lobbyist, the sheriff shall disclose that fact and provide the name of the sheriff’s spouse or domestic partner and, if applicable, the name of that individual’s lobbying firm.
(c)(1) Disclosure forms shall contain the statement, “I certify that the information provided on all pages of this disclosure form is true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.”
(2) Each sheriff shall sign the disclosure form in order to certify it in accordance with this subsection.
(d)(1) A sheriff shall file the disclosure form on or before January 15 of each year or, if the sheriff is appointed after January 15, within 10 days after that appointment.
(2) A sheriff who filed this disclosure form as a candidate in accordance with 17 V.S.A. § 2414 in the preceding year and whose disclosure information has not changed since that filing may update that filing to indicate that there has been no change. (Added 2023, No. 30, § 4a, eff. May 31, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 333. Confinement of sheriff; vacancy

§ 333. Confinement of sheriff; vacancy
A high bailiff by virtue of a writ or other process directed to him or her against the sheriff may commit the sheriff to the Commissioner of Corrections. While the sheriff remains in confinement, or in case of vacancy in the office, the functions of the sheriff shall be exercised by the high bailiff, who shall have the powers and be subject to the liabilities of a sheriff until the sheriff is released from confinement or one is appointed and sworn into office. (1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 17, eff. July 1, 1972.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 361. General duties

§ 361. General duties
(a) A State’s Attorney shall prosecute for offenses committed within his or her county, and all matters and causes cognizable by the Supreme and Superior Courts on behalf of the State, file informations and prepare bills of indictment, deliver executions in favor of the State to an officer for collection immediately after final judgment, taking duplicate receipts therefor, one of which shall be sent to the Commissioner of Finance and Management, and take measures to collect fines and other demands or sums of money due to the State or county.
(b) Part-time State’s Attorneys may represent private clients in Superior Court or the Supreme Court on the question of compensation in highway condemnation cases under the provisions of 19 V.S.A. chapter 5, in those cases where the condemned land is located in any county other than that county in which the State’s Attorney was elected. (Amended 1959, No. 328 (Adj. Sess.), § 8(c); 1965, No. 194, § 10, eff. July 1, 1965, operative Feb. 1, 1967; 1969, No. 131, § 24, eff. April 23, 1969; 1973, No. 193 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. April 9, 1974; 1975, No. 33, § 1, eff. April 11, 1975; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b); 2009, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 178.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 362. Full-time State’s Attorneys; private law practice

§ 362. Full-time State’s Attorneys; private law practice
Elected State’s Attorneys shall devote full time to their duties and during their terms shall not engage in the private practice of law nor be a partner or associate of any person practicing law. The State’s Attorneys of Essex and Grand Isle Counties shall not serve on a full-time basis and shall not be subject to this section. (Added 1967, No. 164, § 3, operative on Feb. 1, 1969; amended 1967, No. 363 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. Feb. 1, 1969; 1969, No. 266 (Adj. Sess.), § 6, eff. April 8, 1970; 1971, No. 120, § 48, eff. July 1, 1971; 1971, No. 260 (Adj. Sess.), § 32; 1977, No. 63, § 1, eff. April 23, 1977; 2009, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § E.205.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 363. Deputy State’s Attorneys

§ 363. Deputy State’s Attorneys
(a) A State’s Attorney may appoint as many deputy State’s Attorneys as necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the State’s Attorney’s office and may remove them at pleasure. The Executive Committee of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs may authorize or direct the Department’s Executive Director to appoint deputy State’s Attorneys who shall have all of the same powers and duties of any other deputy State’s Attorney except that such deputies may prosecute cases in any county of the State. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to limit the term and scope of any such appointments and may remove such deputies at the Committee’s pleasure.
(b) The pay for deputy State’s Attorneys shall be fixed by the Executive Director of the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs or through collective bargaining pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 27, but it shall not exceed the pay of the State’s Attorney making the appointment or other appointing authority. Deputy State’s Attorneys shall be compensated only for periods of actual performance of the duties of the office. Deputy State’s Attorneys shall be reimbursed for their necessary expenses incurred in connection with their official duties when approved by the State’s Attorneys and the Commissioner of Finance and Management.
(c) Deputy State’s Attorneys shall exercise all the powers and duties of the State’s Attorneys except the power to designate someone to act in the event of their own disqualification.
(d) Deputy State’s Attorneys may not enter upon the duties of the office until they have taken the oath or affirmation of allegiance to the State and the oath of office required by the Constitution, and until the oath together with their appointment is filed for record with the county clerk. If appointed and under oath, a deputy State’s Attorney appointed by a State’s attorney may prosecute cases in another county if the State’s Attorney in the other county files the deputy’s appointment in the other county clerk’s office. In case of a vacancy in the office of State’s Attorney, the appointment of the deputy, except for a deputy appointed by the Executive Committee or Executive Director, shall expire upon the appointment of a new State’s Attorney. (Amended 1959, No. 253, eff. June 11, 1959; 1959, No. 328 (Adj. Sess.), § 8(c); 1967, No. 363 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 1, 2, eff. March 27, 1968; 1969, No. 266 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. April 8, 1970; 1971, No. 120, § 49; 1971, No. 260 (Adj. Sess.), § 33; 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b); 2009, No. 58, § 24; 2017, No. 81, § 12, eff. June 15, 2017; 2023, No. 39, § 1a, eff. June 1, 2023.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 364. Investigator

§ 364. Investigator
(a)(1) A State’s Attorney may appoint an investigator and, with the approval of the Governor, shall fix the investigator’s pay not to exceed that of a noncommissioned officer of the Department of Public Safety, and may remove the investigator at will.
(2) An investigator shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in connection with his or her official duties when approved by the State’s Attorney and the Commissioner of Finance and Management.
(3) Investigators shall take part in the investigation of crime, the detection of persons suspected of committing crimes, the preparation of any criminal cause for trial, and other tasks related to the office of the State’s Attorney.
(4) No person may be appointed as an investigator unless he or she has had appropriate experience in investigative work for a period of not less than two years, including employment as a private detective or a law enforcement officer, or has successfully completed a course of training under 20 V.S.A. chapter 151.
(b) A person appointed as an investigator who has obtained certification as a Level II or Level III law enforcement officer under the provisions of 20 V.S.A. § 2358 shall have the same powers as sheriffs in criminal matters and the enforcement of the law and in serving criminal process, and shall have all the immunities and matters of defense now available or hereafter made available to sheriffs in a suit brought against them in consequence for acts done in the course of their employment. (Added 1959, No. 299, § 1; amended 1967, No. 368 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 27, 1968; 1969, No. 266 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. April 8, 1970; 1971, No. 120, § 50, eff. July 1, 1971; 1973, No. 77, § 55, eff. July 1, 1973; 1981, No. 108, § 327; 1989, No. 297 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1995, No. 123 (Adj. Sess.), § 8, eff. June 6, 1996; 2003, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 2007, No. 7, § 7; 2013, No. 141 (Adj. Sess.), § 18, eff. July 1, 2015.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 365. Penalty for taking bribe

§ 365. Penalty for taking bribe
A State’s Attorney who, directly or indirectly under color of his or her office, unlawfully receives to his or her use, or the use of another person, money or other valuable thing, shall be fined not less than $300.00 and shall be incapable of holding civil office in the State.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 5 - County Officers; Powers and Duties › § 366. Deputy sheriffs; police school

§ 366. Deputy sheriffs; police school
Subject to the approval of the Attorney General, a State’s Attorney may enroll a deputy sheriff in a police school for the purpose of receiving training in crime prevention, detection, and apprehension. The officer so enrolled shall receive compensation during the police school session in an amount fixed by the Attorney General which shall not exceed $20.00 per day. The officer so enrolled shall receive his or her necessary expenses. Bills for his or her compensation and expenses shall be sworn to by him or her. Upon approval by the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Finance shall issue his or her warrant in payment thereof. (Added 1967, No. 368 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 27, 1968; amended 1983, No. 195 (Adj. Sess.), § 5(b).)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 801. Composition; meetings

§ 801. Composition; meetings
The town clerk, selectboard members and justices residing in a town shall constitute the board of civil authority of such town. Meetings of the board shall be called by the town clerk, or by one of the selectboard members, on application, by giving written notice to each member, and by posting a notice in two or more public places in the town at least five days previous to the meeting. The board shall choose a chair, and the town clerk shall be its clerk. The act of a majority of the board present at the meeting shall be treated as the act of the board, except that when the board is dealing with election issues, 17 V.S.A. § 2103(5) shall control. (Amended 1979, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 118.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 831. Oaths

§ 831. Oaths
The clerk, selectboard members, constables, listers, and fence viewers of a town shall be sworn before entering upon the duties of their offices. A record thereof shall be made by the town clerk. (Amended 2017, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 19.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 832. Bonds; requirements

§ 832. Bonds; requirements
Before the school directors, constable, road commissioner, collector of taxes, treasurer, assistant treasurer when appointed by the selectboard, clerk, and any other officer or employee of the town who has authority to receive or disburse town funds enter upon the duties of their offices, the selectboard shall require each to have crime insurance coverage or give a bond conditioned for the faithful performance of his or her duties: the school directors, to the town school district; the other named officers, to the town. The treasurer, assistant treasurer when appointed by the selectboard, and collector shall also be required to have crime insurance coverage or give a bond to the town school district for like purpose. All such crime insurance coverage or bonds shall be in sufficient sums and with sufficient sureties as prescribed and approved by the selectboard. If the selectboard at any time considers the crime insurance coverage or a bond of any such officer or employee to be insufficient, it may require, by written order, the officer or employee to give an additional bond in such sum as it deems necessary. If an officer or employee, so required, neglects for 10 days after such request to give such original or additional bond, his or her office shall be vacant. A bond or crime insurance coverage furnished pursuant to the provisions of this section shall not be valid if signed by any other officer of the same municipality as surety thereon. (Amended 1959, No. 183, § 2; 1967, No. 147, § 36, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 25; 2021, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 833. Approval; record; evidence

§ 833. Approval; record; evidence
On the approval of crime insurance coverage or a bond required by section 832 of this title, the selectboard of a town shall file the same in the office of the town clerk to be recorded by such clerk in a book kept for that purpose. Copies thereof duly certified by such clerk shall be evidence in court as if the original were produced. (Amended 2021, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 21, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 834. Neglect of clerk or constable; indemnity

§ 834. Neglect of clerk or constable; indemnity
A town shall make good the pecuniary damages which may accrue to a person by the neglect or default of the town clerk or constable of such town, to be recovered in a civil action on this statute.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 835. Payment of premiums

§ 835. Payment of premiums
Bonds or crime insurance coverage required of officers of a municipality shall be paid for by the municipality requiring the same. (Amended 2021, No. 179 (Adj. Sess.), § 22, eff. July 1, 2022.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 871. Organization of selectboard; appointments

§ 871. Organization of selectboard; appointments
(a) Forthwith after its election and qualification, the selectboard shall organize and elect a chair and, if so voted, a clerk from among its number, and file a certificate of such election for record in the office of the town clerk.
(b) The selectboard shall appoint a tree warden, who need not be a resident of the municipality, and may appoint from among the registered voters the following officers who shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified and shall certify the appointments to the town clerk who shall record the same:
(1) three fence viewers;
(2) a poundkeeper, for each pound; voting residence in the town need not be a qualification for this office provided appointee gives his or her consent to the appointment;
(3) one or more inspectors of lumber, shingles, and wood;
(4) one or more weighers of coal;
(5) one town service officer; and
(6) one grand juror.
(c) After the selectboard appoints a tree warden, the selectboard shall certify the appointment to the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. The certification shall include contact information for the appointed tree warden. (Amended 1963, No. 74, § 2; 2007, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 2015, No. 71 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2017, No. 93 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2019, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2020.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 872. Selectboard; general powers and duties

§ 872. Selectboard; general powers and duties
(a) The selectboard shall have the general supervision of the affairs of the town and shall cause to be performed all duties required of towns and town school districts not committed by law to the care of any particular officer.
(b) The selectboard shall annually, on or before July 31, acknowledge receipt of and review the document made available by the Auditor of Accounts pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 163(11) regarding internal financial controls and which has been completed and provided to the selectboard by the treasurer pursuant to section 1571 of this title.
(c) The selectboard may require any other officer or employee of the town who has the authority to receive or disburse town funds to complete and provide to the selectboard a copy of the document made available by the Auditor of Accounts pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 163(11). The officer or employee shall complete and provide the document to the selectboard within 30 days of the selectboard’s requirement. The selectboard shall acknowledge receipt of and review the completed document within 30 days of receiving it from the officer or employee. (Amended 2011, No. 155 (Adj. Sess.), § 26.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 901. Actions by or against town officers

§ 901. Actions by or against town officers
(a) Where an action is given to any appointed or elected municipal officer or town school district officer, the action shall be brought in the name of the town in which the officer serves and in the case of a town school district officer in the name of the town school district. If the action is given against such officers, it shall be brought against such town or town school district, as the case may be.
(b) The municipality shall assume all reasonable legal fees incurred by an officer when the officer was acting in the performance of his or her duties and did not act with any malicious intent. (Amended 1967, No. 147, § 36, eff. Oct. 1, 1968; 1973, No. 235 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 901a. Tort claims against municipal employees

§ 901a. Tort claims against municipal employees
(a) As used in this section, “municipal employee” means any person employed for a wage or salary by a municipality; a volunteer whose services have been requested by the legislative body of a municipality; a volunteer whose services have been requested by a municipal officer; or a volunteer whose services have been requested by an employee of the municipality acting within the scope of the employee’s authority.
(b) When the act or omission of a municipal employee acting within the scope of employment is alleged to have caused damage to property, injury to persons, or death, the exclusive right of action shall lie against the municipality that employed the employee at the time of the act or omission; and no such action may be maintained against the municipal employee or the estate of the municipal employee.
(c) When a municipality assumes the place of a municipal employee in an action as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the municipality may assert all defenses available to the municipal employee, and the municipality shall waive any defense not available to the municipal employee, including municipal sovereign immunity.
(d)(1) The municipality shall defend and indemnify a municipal employee for any legal costs if a municipal employee is improperly named as a defendant in a proceeding.
(2) The municipality shall defend or, when a cause of action contains elements not covered by insurance, reimburse legal defense and expense costs incurred by a municipal employee in the event that a municipal employee is named as a party under subsection (e) of this section and the employee is dismissed from the matter before the entry of a judgment by the court or the acts or omissions of the employee are determined not to be willful, intentional, or outside the scope of the employee’s authority.
(e) This section shall not apply to an act or omission of a municipal employee that was willful, intentional, or outside the scope of the employee’s authority.
(f) When two or more conflicting statutes provide protection to a municipal employee whose act or omission is alleged to have caused damage to property, injury to persons, or death, a court shall apply the statute that grants greater protection to the municipal employee. (Added 2003, No. 62, § 1; see effective date note below.)
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 903. Nonliability of municipal officers for money paid out

§ 903. Nonliability of municipal officers for money paid out
An action shall not be maintained against a person for money paid out by him or her as an officer of a municipal corporation in accordance with a vote of such corporation, whether such vote was valid or not.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 931. Claims for personal services

§ 931. Claims for personal services
Claims for personal services, except where compensation is fixed by law or by vote of the town or town school district, shall not be allowed to a town or town school district officer, but the auditors shall report claims and the nature and extent of the services at such meeting.
2023 Vermont Statutes › Title 24 - Municipal and County Government › Chapter 33 - Municipal Officers Generally › § 933. Selectboard may fix; when

§ 933. Selectboard may fix; when
When a town does not fix the amount of the compensation to be paid such officers and town employees, the selectboard shall fix and determine the same except as to their own pay which shall be fixed by the auditors at the time of the annual town audit. If the town has voted to eliminate the office of auditor and the voters fail to fix the compensation to be paid to members of the selectboard, selectboard members shall be compensated at the rate at which they were compensated during the immediately preceding year. (Amended 1997, No. 83 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)