JOB 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
The Courtroom Clerk is assigned to provide courtroom support for a Judicial Officer. Incumbents perform difficult and highly technical clerical work with a minimum amount of supervision and work independently within established policies, procedures, and guidelines. Incumbents must be able to adapt to frequently changing policies, procedures, and assignments that affect specific deadline, time limitations and other situations requiring speed, sustained attention and accuracy. They are held accountable for the accurate recording of court proceedings which may include sensitive and confidential material or information, as well as the distribution of court generated documents.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Typical Duties Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Attends court sessions; records and prepares minutes of actions and proceedings; requests clarification of instructions and order of actions to properly note the official court record.
- Participates in court proceedings; reads charges, complaints, and indictments to defendants in court and records pleas; administers oaths or affirmations to witnesses and jurors; records juror attendance; reads jury verdicts; receives, marks, records, and assumes custody of exhibits.
- Advises attorneys and the court of condition of the court calendar and notifies them of hearing dates; sends notices of hearing dates to appropriate agencies.
- Notifies interpreters, counsel, investigators, psychiatrists, and other professionals when appointed by the court.
- Prepares orders, legal notices, judgments, court decisions, and other legal documents; examines legal documents presented to the court for proper format and content prior to review by judge, and for official filing; accepts and receipts jury and reporter fees.
- Assists attorneys, court staff, and the public in person, by phone, or through correspondence; provides procedural and other information regarding status of legal cases; answers inquiries and explains court and legal filing procedures, processes, forms, fees, fines, and basic rules of court.
- Enters and retrieves data from the computer relating to in-custody lists, case status, calendaring, disposition, judgments, and other relevant information.
- Researches various codes and rules such as Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedures, Evidence Code, Probate Code, Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Vehicle, Code, Government Code, California Rules of Court and local rules in order to assist the preparation of judicial reports, minutes and in answering questions related to court procedures; reviews files for completeness; may check legal points and authorities to assist the court in preparing decisions.
- Assists in training staff for courtroom work.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Please apply online at: http://sonoma.courts.ca.gov/info/jobs
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
The selection procedure will consist of an application with supplemental questionnaire screening and a panel interview process.
Please list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position.
Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities which relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.
The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma is committed to creating a diverse environment and an open, inclusive culture free from bias. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Accommodation:
Applicants with a disability who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing [email protected] upon submittal of application.
Background Investigation:
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a thorough background check, including verification of prior employment, and the provision of appropriate identifying documents to certify eligibility to work in the United States. Please be advised that finalist(s) must be fingerprinted for criminal record check purposes and that continued employment is contingent upon information received in the report. Convictions, depending upon the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
