The sheriff could be sued for misfeasance such as bribery in the King's court.
"Our Legal Heritage, 4th Ed."
S. A. Reilly
Take the case of a large number of people who have formed themselves into a league for the purpose of carrying out some practical object; if there be two rascals among them, they will recognize each other as readily as if they bore a similar badge, and will at once conspire for some misfeasance or treachery.
"Counsels and Maxims From The Essays Of Arthur Schopenhauer"
Arthur Schopenhauer