Understanding the Role of a Jailkeeper in the Court System

In the context of a court case, a jailkeeper is an officer of the court who is responsible for ensuring that the defendant is present in court and that they are held in custody if they are unable to post bail. The jailkeeper may also be responsible for transporting the defendant to and from court, as well as for maintaining order in the courtroom.

In some jurisdictions, the term "jailkeeper" may be used interchangeably with "bailiff," although the two roles may have slightly different responsibilities. In general, however, a jailkeeper is focused specifically on the custody and transportation of the defendant, while a bailiff may have additional responsibilities such as maintaining order in the courtroom and serving subpoenas.