Opinion ID: 76264
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sheriffs Perform Law Enforcement Function for the State

Text: 26 The sheriffs' independence from counties is further shown by how sheriffs act as agents for the state in enforcing the laws and in keeping the peace. Georgia's Constitution provides that [t]he Governor shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed and shall be the conservator of the peace throughout the state. Ga. Const. art. V, § 2, ¶ 2. In enforcing the laws and conserving the peace, the Governor does not act alone, but necessarily acts through state agents such as sheriffs. 14 In Georgia, the office of sheriff carries with it both the common law and statutory duties of sheriffs to enforce the laws and preserve the peace, as well as additional statutory duties imposed by the State. O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10(a)(1)-(8). 15 The Georgia legislature mandates that it is the express duty of the sheriff to perform such duties as are or may be imposed by law or which necessarily appertain to his or her office. O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10(a)(8). 27 In McMillian, the Supreme Court pointed out that historically a sheriff had geographic restrictions but in reality represented the State in fulfilling his duty to keep the peace. 16 McMillian, 520 U.S. at 794, 117 S.Ct. 1734. Indeed, in conserving the public peace, in vindicating the law, and in preserving the rights of the government, [the sheriff] represents the sovereignty of the State and he has no superior in his county. 1 W. Anderson, A Treatise on the Law of Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables 5 (1941), cited with approval in McMillian, 520 U.S. at 794, 117 S.Ct. 1734. Thus, it is entirely consistent for sheriffs to be labeled as county officers in Georgia's Constitution to reflect their geographic territory, but for them still to act on behalf of the State in enforcing the laws and keeping the peace. See R. Cooley, Handbook on the Law of Municipal Corporations 512 (1914) (Sheriffs... clerks and other so-called county officers are properly state officers for the county. Their functions and duties pertain chiefly to the affairs of state in the county.). 28 In addition to their general law enforcement duties, the Georgia legislature prescribes and controls other law enforcement duties of sheriffs. For example, the State requires that sheriffs perform specific duties relating to state courts. The Georgia legislature mandates that it is the duty of sheriffs [t]o execute and return the processes and orders of the courts and of officers of competent authority ... with due diligence. O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10(a)(1) (Supp.2002). The State mandates that sheriffs, in their respective counties, have a duty to attend all sessions of the superior court of the county, 17 to publish sales, citations, and other proceedings as required by law, to keep an execution docket, and to keep other specified records. O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10(a)(2)-(6). This same statute provides that [i]f any sheriff or deputy fails to comply with any provision of [O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10(a)], he shall be fined for a contempt. O.C.G.A. § 15-16-10(a)(8), (b). 29 The State further empowers sheriffs to act beyond the boundaries of their counties of election in certain circumstances. Sheriffs may transfer prisoners to another county jail if the jails in their counties are in an unsafe condition. 18 O.C.G.A. § 42-4-4(a)(3). In addition, the State authorizes sheriffs to exercise their discretion to transfer[ ] a prisoner to another jail in another county if the sheriff concludes that such transfer is in the best interest of the prisoner or that such transfer is necessary for the orderly administration of the jail. O.C.G.A. § 42-4-4(b). Georgia law also empowers sheriffs to make arrests for traffic violations outside their counties. See O.C.G.A. § 40-13-30; City of Winterville v. Strickland, 127 Ga. App. 716, 718-19, 194 S.E.2d 623 (1972). 30 In sum, under Georgia law, the sheriff's function, both under his common law heritage and as supplemented by state statute, is to enforce the laws and keep the peace on behalf of the State in his geographical territory. Thus, Georgia's Constitution has made the sheriff a constitutionally protected office independent from the defendant Clayton County and prevented the defendant Clayton County from taking any action to affect the sheriff's office. 31