Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Kellen Dotson

Nature of Work

POSITION OVERVIEW

This is responsible clerical work performed in a courtroom of the District Court of the City of Grand Rapids. Work includes preparing the assigned courtroom for daily activity and for performing various clerical duties while the court is in session and during court recess. Work also includes making sure that the parties to an action are present and that the necessary records are before the Judge when the case is called. Work involves noting information (computer and file) and completing forms as the case progresses. Work is performed under the general direction of their assigned Judge, administration with direction provided by the supervisors of the Clerk's Office. Work is reviewed through observation, reports, and analysis of results obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Essential Duties: (These duties are a representative sample.)

• Prepares courtroom for daily activity. Opens courtroom and checks courtroom for cleanliness, heat, light, and ventilation.

• Ascertains presence of parties to the court action and the requisite records for the action. Contacts attorneys, probation, security, interpreter, etc as required if they are not already present.

• Announces the judge. Maintains order in the courtroom (reminds spectators of court rules, seats litigants, witnesses, and jurors, etc). Contacts security if there is a disruption/emergency that arises.

• Performs necessary clerical duties during the court session and during court recess or downtime. Enters data into court software (disposition, judge's comments, etc), completes forms (bond/judgment, pre-trial notice, bench warrant, etc), makes notations in files, faxes paperwork, etc as necessary. Responsible for clerical functions associated with individual docket caseload (print/send notices, interpreter, appointment of attorney, etc)

• Obtains and delivers file jackets, supplies, forms and related items necessary for use by the Judge and parties.

• Arranges for security and needs of the jury.

• Fills out the forms for work release, community service program and related matters and escorts the defendant to the assigned department for further action.

• Collects files in civil matters and transports them to the courtroom for the daily schedule. Arranges files in order of appearance. Determines presence of litigants in the courtroom prior to the onset of proceedings.

• Make any necessary notations on case concerning further action to be taken or disposition and returns files to the Clerk's Office when actions are complete.

• When not in the courtroom performs clerical functions as assigned by the judge or other supervisory staff.

• Answers the telephone, answers routine requests for information from the public and officers of the court (phone and in person). Initiates contact with litigants/defendants to verify information.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person.

• Considerable knowledge of laws, court rules, procedures and policies, legal documents and legal factors pertaining to the court.
• Considerable knowledge of the organization and function of the courtroom of assignment.
• Considerable knowledge of the Court's computer program and the ability to both enter data with a high degree of accuracy and to find information as needed for the judge.
• Some knowledge of modern office business practices and procedures
• Ability to maintain accurate records of proceedings and transactions while court is in session.
• Ability to fill out appropriate forms in an accurate and legible manner.
• Ability to work effectively with members of the bench, bar, other employees and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain order and discipline in the courtroom and to effectively handle disturbances through the exercise of good decision-making judgment.

Minimum Training and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

High school graduation or equivalent, including or supplemented college accounting, book keeping courses or other court related studies.

Experience:

Two years clerical experience in clerical, accounting, or customer relations work, preferably in a court setting or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

• None