Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Malden District Court

Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys; Malden (MA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

Malden District Court seeks an Assistant Clerk Magistrate to assist the Clerk of Court with administrative duties, prepare and maintain court papers, and supervise staff in the Clerk-Magistrate's Office. The role advances cases swiftly through procedures and requires leadership in a court environment.

The position emphasizes compliance with court rules, handling charges, and ensuring proper filings, while overseeing fees, records, and hearings as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 6+ years of relevant work experience in criminal justice, public administration or business administration including supervisory experience.
• Or a law degree or graduate degree with 2+ years of relevant work experience.
• Total experience or education may total 10 years if using a combination.

Responsibilities

• Receives applications for criminal complaints and reviews them for probable cause.
• Reviews applications for search warrants and determines whether warrants may issue.
• Conducts hearings and determines if complaints or arrest warrants may issue; handles appeals from various citations.
• Conducts trials of small claims and issues judgments; arraigns defendants and handles bail decisions.
• Maintains official records, notifies counsel, and certifies court documents.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Law degree acceptable

Job description

Official Title:

Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Malden District Court

Pay Grade:

Asst. Clerk

Salary:

$134,389.69

Salary Notes:

Salary for this position is set by Statute.

Departmental Mission Statement:

As a gateway to justice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the District Court is dedicated to the administration of justice in a fair, impartial, and timely manner in accordance with the rule of law. In fulfilling this role, the District Court shall provide the communities it serves with an environment that is safe, accessible, and respectful to all. The District Court shall conduct its business with integrity, competence, and a commitment to excellence in order to promote public trust and confidence in the judicial system.

Organizational Profile

https://www.mass.gov/orgs/district-court

Notes:

• Law degree preferred.
• This position is designated as management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Position Summary:

This position involves responsible legal work and supervisory responsibilities. The employees in this position assist the Clerk of Court in performing administrative duties as set forth in state statutes and court rules. Administrative responsibilities include the preparation and maintenance of all court papers and records and performance of administrative tasks to ensure that cases move rapidly and smoothly to a determination by the court. Work is performed under the direction of the Clerk or First Assistant Clerk. Supervision is exercised over support personnel within the Clerk-Magistrate's Office.

Duties:

• Receives applications for criminal complaints and reviews them for probable cause.
• Reviews applications for search warrants filed by police and others and determines whether such warrants may issue.
• Conducts hearings and determines whether criminal complaints and/or arrest warrants may issue, determines appeals from civil motor vehicle citations, municipal by-law violations and environmental citations.
• Conducts trials of small claims and makes judgments of the same. In the absence of a justice, arraigns defendants, determines questions of bail, and conducts preliminary probation violation hearings.
• Calls the list of cases scheduled before a justice and makes the official record of the proceedings.
• Reviews filings from attorneys and Pro Se litigants and informs them on court procedure.
• Arranges for hearings and notifies counsel.
• Certifies and transmits official copies of court records as required.
• Issues process as required by the court or prescribed by statutes and rules of court.
• Receives, examines, and reviews all filings and has responsibility to ensure they comply with rules of court, and to establish their suitability for filing.
• Maintains electronic and written indexes of cases entered.
• Supervises the receipt, recording and disbursements of fees and money by the court.
• Distributes and implements changes in court rules and office procedure.
• Administers hearings inside and outside of court where no judge is present.
• Performs related work as required.

Job Competencies:

Ethics and Values

Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Driven

Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.

Professional Development

Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording those opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.

Customer Service

Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Applied Knowledge

Demonstrates an ability to coordinate, distribute and administer State Contracts, State Price Agreements, Trial Court Contracts, and other statewide specialty items.

Commitment to Diversity

Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Collaboration

Works with others cooperatively, and promotes teamwork, contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Problem Solving

Accurately assesses fiscal problems in the Trial Court and recommends and facilitates appropriate solutions.

Minimum Requirements:

A bachelor’s degreeandknowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 6 or more years of relevant work experience in criminal justice, public administration or business administration including supervisory experience;oran equivalent combination of higher education and relevant experience equal to 10 years total.

OR

A law degree or a graduate degree in a relevant field (for example: criminal justice, public administration, or business administration);andknowledge, skills and abilities acquired through 2 or more years of relevant work experience.