Who typically appointed sheriffs and justices of the peace in the southern colonies?

In the southern colonies, sheriffs and justices of the peace were typically appointed by state governors. This reflects the centralized authority that governors held in colonial administration, especially in regions where colonial power was closely aligned with royal governance. Governors were responsible for maintaining law and order, and thus it was within their purview to appoint key officials who played vital roles in upholding the legal and civic order.

Local assemblies did have some influence over governance, but they were not the primary bodies responsible for appointing sheriffs and justices. The concept of community voting for such positions was not commonly practiced in the southern colonies during that period. The notion of a county commission also does not accurately represent how law enforcement and judicial positions were filled, as these roles were appointed rather than elected or assigned by smaller local governing bodies. Thus, the structure of colonial governance in the South resulted in governors overseeing the appointment of these crucial roles in maintaining order and justice.