The sheriff is obligated to execute and return, according to law, the process and orders of the courts of record, and of all officers of competent authority, with due diligence, when delivered to the sheriff. The sheriff must attend upon all of the courts held in the county, cause the courtroom to be kept in order and obey the lawful orders and directions of the court. The sheriff also may be ordered to levy execution upon a defendant's property, first upon goods or chattels, if there are any, and land in order to satisfy judgment, and upon a surety's property in the proper case. Many of the sheriff's duties regarding service of process and other matters are detailed in T.C.A. § 8-8-201. The sheriff is charged with the custody and security of the courthouse unless the county legislative body assigns this duty to someone else. T.C.A. § 5-7-108.

Law enforcement duties, jail administration, and workhouse administration are explained in detail under the Public Safety topic.