Courtroom Clerk

DEFINITION

Under general direction, provides courtroom support for judicial officers. Pulls and prepares files for daily court calendars; attends court sessions and prepares and records minutes of actions and proceedings; enters court minutes into case management system; participates in court proceedings; explains policies and procedures of the court to attorneys and the general public; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Courtroom Clerk - This is the entry level in the Courtroom Clerk series. Positions assigned to this classification require advanced clerical skills and abilities that work independently within a courtroom maintaining the work flow within the courtroom and communicating actions in the court to appropriate parties. Perform responsible, complex legal clerical work and must perform all required duties within frequent deadlines, time limitations, and pressure from court users and staff. Requires speed, sustained attention, and a high degree of accuracy. Incumbents are generally considered to be in a training status and receive closer supervision and review of work products as they learn courtroom processes and procedures. As skills and abilities are acquired and performance is considered satisfactory, position incumbents will be promoted to the journey Sr. Courtroom Clerk level without the requirement of competitive recruitment. Sr. Courtroom Clerk - This is the advanced journey level classification in the Courtroom Clerk series. This class is distinguished from the lower-level class of Courtroom Clerk by its responsibility for the more difficult and highly technical courtroom work in any case type and/or the responsibility for providing technical direction and training to other less experienced employees. Positions assigned to this classification perform a full range of advanced clerical skills and abilities that work independently within a courtroom maintaining the work flow within the courtroom and communicating actions in the court to appropriate parties. Perform responsible, complex legal clerical work and must perform all required duties within frequent deadlines, time limitations, and pressure from court users and staff. Requires speed, sustained attention, and a high degree of accuracy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Courtroom Clerk - Receives immediate supervision from higher level supervisory staff. Sr. Courtroom Clerk - Receives general supervision from higher level supervisory staff. May provide limited technical direction and training to less experienced staff.

Include, but are not necessarily limited to: Serves as a clerk to a Judicial Officer in the preparation and execution of daily court calendars and/or pleadings before trial in any area of the court Attends court to record minutes, administer oaths, and record and file exhibits introduced Receive, mark, maintain records and assume custody of evidence and exhibits Maintains records of hearing dates and continuances. Consults with attorneys and court regarding changes in court calendar dates Impanels jury; records challenges and proceedings during jury selection; documents jury services; computes compensation dues; ensures attorneys have paid court reporter fees Maintain records of court appointed counsel and medical examiners, expert witnesses, and compensation fees Prepares notices of in-custody status or terms of release. Reads charges, indictments or verdicts to defendants Completes sentencing documents regarding prison, jail, probation, community justice, fee and fine payments Notifies interpreters, conflict counsel, investigators, psychiatric and other professionals when appointed by court and coordinate scheduling thereof Determines when a bail bond exoneration or forfeiture is needed and processes as appropriate Collects and keeps organized records of court reporter fees or change to: Process requests for Interpreter and Court Reporter, verifies their appearances and payment vouchers and instructs them on services needed Prepares, files, endorses and mails Judgment and Notice of Entry of Judgment Prepares and submits jury usage sheets Enters all necessary data entry in case management system Prepares and maintains a variety of correspondence and reports, including statistical reports and workload reports Use various other software programs to assist with processing court work including word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, calendars, reports and data analysis Perform related duties as assigned

Courtroom Clerk Knowledge of:

Modern office practices and procedures Operation of standard office equipment and personal computers. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, punctuation Basic math and record keeping systems Operation, procedures and jurisdiction of the Court Legal forms, documents and terminology relating to civil, criminal, probate, family law, traffic and juvenile cases Rules of Court and court related sections of various California Codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, provision and policies related to specific court assignments Basic judicial branch and local justice system organization and procedures Legal terminology and forms used in a state level trial court Wide range of court document filing procedures Applicable laws, codes and rules of court Forms, records, document processing procedures and legal terminology as applicable to area of assignment Automated systems used in court information storage and document preparation Court document preparation, duplication and distribution procedures Ability to: Record minutes of Court proceedings Learn to perform a wide range of legal office work using varied clerical skills and abilities. Listen carefully to note pertinent information for court records Administer oaths and affirmation Understand, explain and apply specific statutes, codes, laws, regulations and procedures Remain calm in a highly demanding environment Maintain flexibility Communicate in a tactful and professional manner orally and in writing Identify and correct technical inaccuracies Enter data into a computer Calculate fees and fines Maintain confidentiality Interact in a respectful, cooperative, productive and tactful manner Work as a team member and follow directions Independently process court documents related to the assigned area of responsibility Effectively utilize the court's case management system and other technology systems to perform the assigned duties and responsibilities Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other court staff, justice agency employees, litigants, and attorneys Prioritize work assignments and consistently meet legally mandated and procedural deadlines Sr. Courtroom Clerk In addition to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed for a

Courtroom Clerk:

Ability to: Work independently and complete work assignments with minimal supervision Process more difficult and highly technical courtroom work in any case type Provide technical direction and training to other less experienced employees

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Effort .

• Overall duties require the ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to pinch, pull objects or controls; reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear.
• Duties require the use of fingers to make small movements such as typing, picking up small objects or pinching fingers together
• Duties require the ability to convey detailed or important instructions/ideas accurately and effectively.
• Duties require the ability to have speech and hearing sufficient for communicating in person or by telephone.
• Duties require ability to hear average/normal conversations and receive ordinary information.
• Duties require frequent and regular movements using wrist, hands and/or fingers.
• Duties require the ability to prepare or inspect documents or products or operate equipment with or without reasonable accommodations, as required by law.
• Duties require: o Sedentary work - Sitting for 95% of the time.

o Ability to stand for 5 % of time o Ability to move, lift, carry and/or push five (5) pounds up to twenty-Five (25) pounds.

o Work environment:

The noise level and traffic level in the work environment are similar to a busy office. No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions. Primary office location is on the first floor and requires ability to move between different floors of the building. Working environment is generally favorable with adequate lighting and temperature. o Normal business hours for this position: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.