Civil officers are government officials responsible for tasks authorized by a constitution or charter, excluding military members. National officials include presidents, judges, and political appointees, while local and regional officers include city administrators, magistrates, and sheriffs who perform extensive tasks for their constituencies. Their duties range from marrying civil officials to issuing court documents and recovering property.
A civil officer is a government official responsible for tasks authorized by a constitution or charter. National officials include presidents, judges, and political appointees responsible for serving the public’s will. The term civilian excludes members of the military who serve under separate codes of conduct. Civilian officials at the local and regional levels include city administrators, magistrates, and sheriffs, who often perform extensive tasks for their constituencies. These duties range from marrying civil officials to issuing court documents and recovering property.
Article Two of the US Constitution, for example, summarizes the duties of a civil executive officer in a democracy, in this case the president. This section details the powers of the executive office, including authority over the Armed Forces. The president is also tasked with appointing ambassadors and Supreme Court justices with the consent of the legislative branch of government. Appointing powers for the president have been expanded since 1789 to cover district court judges and executive branch department heads who serve as long as the president is satisfied with their performance.
Civilian officers are most often associated with local and regional positions with direct contact with the public. City charters and regional law describe limitations on civil servants’ powers. Governors are generally given power to control regional police forces and National Guard troops, veto legislation and appoint local judges. Mayors and city administrators are asked to preside over city council meetings and hearings, enact ordinances, and perform other municipal duties. Additional duties of these local civil servants may include appointing temporary replacements for absent council members.
Local magistrates and judges perform civil marriages as part of their duties as civil officials. Couples looking for alternatives to expensive weddings may opt for a simple ceremony with a civil official. The local magistrate oversees the signing of marriage documents in front of witnesses. These documents are filed immediately at the magistrate’s office, and couples don’t have to worry about extravagant ceremonies or religious conversions. This civil officer’s duties go beyond civil marriage, presiding over court proceedings and issuing warrants, repossessions, and other court orders.
Sheriffs are empowered as civil officers to serve court documents and assist judges in carrying out orders. A local sheriff may be tasked with executing an eviction order issued by the local court on behalf of a creditor. The power to collect a debt allows a civil official to seize assets and property and schedule auctions to recover money for creditors.
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