marshal

The President is required to appoint a U.S. marshal to each judicial district.

It is the responsibility of U.S. marshals to execute all lawful writs, process and orders issued under authority of the United States. In executing the laws of the United States within a state, the marshal may exercise the same powers which a sheriff of the State may exercise in executing the laws thereof. 28 U.S.C.A. No.No. 561, 569, 570.

Also, in some of the states, this is the name of a law officer in certain cities having powers and duties corresponding generally to those of a constable or sheriff. Administrative head of city police or fire department.

See also Provost-Marshal

In old English law, the title borne by several officers of state and of the law, of whom the most important were the following:

(1) The earl-marshal, who presided in the court of chivalry;

(2) the marshal of the king's house, or knight-marshal, whose special authority was in the king's palace, to hear causes between members of the household, and punish faults committed within the verge;

(3) the marshal of the king's bench prison, who had the custody of that jail;

(4) the marshal of the exchequer, who had the custody of the king's debtors;

(5) the marshal of the judge of assize, whose duty was to swear in the grand jury