Sheriff Civil Law Enforcement The Office of the City Sheriff, Law Enforcement Bureau (LEB) is a state and city charter mandated service of the Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff is an officer of the court, and his primary purpose and function is to serve and execute the various legal processes and mandates issued not only by and for the several courts of the state and its subdivisions, but also for the legal community and the general public.

Divisional and bureau policies and procedures are consistent with New York State and court case law. These policies are designed and developed to insure the accurate, expeditious, and judicious service and execution of all matters relating to the enforcement of mandates and process, which includes the Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR), Judiciary Law (JL), Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL), Family Court Act (FCA), and others.

The Law Enforcement Bureau duties in the field of law consist of three main functions. All process received and acted upon by deputy sheriffs can be categorized into one of these three critical fields:

• The discovery and seizure of property
• The arrest of individuals
• The service of a great variety of mandates, orders and decrees from the various courts

The Office of the City Sheriff, Law Enforcement Bureau (L.E.B.) is organized into five County Divisions: (Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond Counties).

The County Divisions consist of:

• An Under Sheriff in charge
• A supervising Lieutenant
• A compliment of Deputy Sheriffs of various ranks to perform necessary field duties of the division
• Various support staff to attend to the keeping of proper records and books.

Serving Process
The Sheriff delivers court papers (a summons or a subpoena) to advise a person they must come to court. Family Court actions are also included.

Collecting Judgments & Orders of Seizure
The Sheriff can assist in collecting money or property due from a court judgment.

Evictions
The Sheriff can assist with evictions involving a court order.

Tax Evasion and Fraud
Under the Sheriff, the Office of Tax Enforcement conducts criminal investigations on taxpayers who do not obey the City's tax laws. We ask the public to help us.

Making Arrests
The Sheriff is authorized to make many different types of civil arrests at the order of the court. Contempt of Court or Kendra's Law violations are some examples.

Cigarette Tax Enforcement
Finance is engaged in an active campaign against those who try to evade the cigarette tax.

Towed Vehicles
Finance will obtain court judgments against vehicle owners who have unpaid parking fines. The Sheriff's Division then enforces these court judgments by towing the vehicle(s). Towed vehicles are sold at Sheriff Vehicle Auctions if they are not redeemed after 10 business days.

Additional Information
About the Office of the Sheriff