If your ideal Saturday is spent in bed, watching back-to-back reruns of Law and Order, then you might have reason to think you'd love a job where you watch court cases all day long.

But not necessarily a good reason. In real life, court cases are hardly as gripping as the O.J. Simpson trial was. Also, we hate to break it to you but in real life, attorneys aren't nearly as attractive as they are on television. Take away the snappy conversation and a mood-setting soundtrack and you're left with a bunch of cases about minor insurance fraud and traffic light infractions. Not super thrilling.

But just like the office assistant who makes sure everyone has coffee in the morning and a fresh supply of notepads and pens, someone needs to make sure the courtroom runs smoothly. And that job falls to the bailiff.

As the courtroom's all-purpose handyman, bailiffs wear so many hats we're not quite sure how they manage to keep them stacked on their head. They escort defendants to and from the courtroom, collect and display evidence from the legal teams, operate all the audio thingamabobs and video doodads that a modern courtroom uses, fill out boring paperwork and reports, and make sure the courtroom has pens, legal notepads, dry-erase markers, and other office supplies galore. 

As the courtroom's pseudo security guard, bailiffs also search people entering the courtroom for weapons and "escort" convicts to prison.

But let's be honest here. Mostly, bailiffs are statues with attitude. Rarely does a bailiff ever draw his gun. Mostly, they're just hefty guys who've got the whole "tough guy" act down pat. A lot of bark, and not a lot of bite. That's all the courtroom really needs to keep everyone in line.

Bailiffs are actually an established, integral part of the whole legal justice system. A long time ago, in medieval England, lords and kings needed some help executing writs and collecting fines from the peasants. 

So in order to deal with their peasant problems, judges and lords of the manor started relying on bailiffs as their right-hand men. (At that time, it was only men, though today there are some lady bailiffs.) Whether it's from absolute necessity or simply force of habit, it's pretty hard to imagine the court system without its bailiffs.

What type of person is suited for this job? As you might have guessed, this is first and foremost a job for people with a really strong interest in the legal system—not because you need a deep understanding of the law, but simply because otherwise you'll be bored out of your mind. A lot of your job is standing around watching witnesses run their mouths, which is hardly visually stimulating. 

So if the idea of watching lawyers in "action" (which isn't really that much action) doesn't set your insides on fire with a burning passion, then this probably isn't the right job for you. Not sure if you like watching real-life court cases? While not all courthouses or courtrooms will allow it, you can often observe a court case in session. And it doesn't hurt to ask.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you have such a strong interest in the legal system that you just want to do what the lawyers do, then this isn't the job for you either. Becoming a bailiff is not a first step to becoming a lawyer. Lawyers need law degrees; and in this economic climate, they often need more than that. 

Bailiffs, on the other hand, need a high school diploma or a GED and maybe, maybe, some training at a vocational school or a police academy in criminal justice or law enforcement. But no one expects bailiffs to be the sharpest minds in the room. Just like no one wants to hire bailiffs as lawyers or police officers.

Even if you don't have to be the sharpest mind in the room, you do need some quick reflexes—just in case someone, probably a defendant, gets a little testy. You also need to be responsible. Without you, who would give the witness dry-erase markers to mark on the exhibit? Who would make sure all the busy attorneys have a bottle of water and a fresh legal notepad waiting for them? 

A booming voice is a major plus. When you say "ALL RISE!" you want court observers to leap to their feet, and when you call the defendants' names, you want them to quake in their boots (or court-approved, prison-issued sneakers).

The median annual salary is around $40,000 (source). It's way lower than that of the lawyers that you watch day in and day out. But if you're looking for a livable wage, some reasonable hours, and plenty of job stability, then putting up with a little (or a lot of) boredom now and then will pay off. You can also get an added measure of security if you join a Bailiff and Court Officers Association, and you'll have more time at home with the kids than the attorneys.

As a bailiff, you get a front-row seat (okay, technically, you're standing all day) to courtroom events. But you can leave the popcorn at home. It won't be the thriller of the year.

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