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Alguacil (in Spanish language), aguazil or guazil (in Portuguese) is the title for a number of governmental office-holders.
The Alguacils of higher importance were the Alguaciles Mayores. These positions were held by the most prominent families, so they approximated the office of Regidores. (At first they were also in charge of the local prison (jail), but this function was passed very soon to the responsibility of the Alcaide or warden.) Their function was to arrest people provided by the Inquisitor or investigators and the seizure of their property. To do this one had to be accompanied by the recipient, their family members and the Secretary (minister) of Arrests (sheriff). He could seek the support of civil authorities. It also ensured the safety of the detainees (defendants), because they had no communications with others except, of course, those authorized by the investigators. Among the junior officers, the Alguacil Mayor held the largest category with the Secret Notaries. The others functions of an Alguacil Mayor were:
The title has also been given to inspectors of weights and measures in marketplaces, and similar officials.
An alguacil, as the principal police officer of a municipality, was allowed to carry arms during town patrols. The same privilege was extended to the alguacil's assistants, known in Spanish as tenientes. An alguacil was not allowed to hold another office, or to have a business.
In the United States, Alguacil is used as the equivalent Spanish term for sheriff. However, the term "sheriff" has also been used, untranslated, in Spanish publications in the United States.
The term alguacil aéreo has been used as the equivalent Spanish term for Sky marshal, and the name Cuerpo de Alguaciles de Estados Unidos has been used as the Spanish name for the United States Marshals Service.
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