Courtroom Clerk

Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Superior Court of California, County of Sonoma, seeks a Courtroom Clerk to provide courtroom support for judicial officers. Responsibilities include attending court sessions, recording minutes, and preparing orders and notices.

The role requires accuracy, discretion, and the ability to handle confidential information in a dynamic court environment. Under general direction, you will explain procedures to attorneys and the public, manage case data entry, and support staff across courtrooms and

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from high school with related legal support experience.
• Experience with a wide variety of legal documents is desirable.
• Ability to adapt to changing policies and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Attends court sessions; records and prepares minutes of actions and proceedings.
• Notifies attorneys and court staff of hearing dates and calendar status.
• Advises on calendar conditions; handles notices and affiliations with agencies.
• Enter and retrieve data from case management and court computer systems.
• Explain court procedures to attorneys and the public; maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Legal terminology

Court procedures

Records management

Data entry

Education

High school diploma

2 years legal support experience

Clerk’s Office or Courtroom Clerk experience

Job description

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be the equivalent of:

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from high school and two years of responsible legal support experience which provided familiarity with a wide variety of legal documents;

or

One year of Clerk’s Office or Courtroom Clerk experience within the California State Court System.

Other Requirements

A valid Class C California driver's license may be required to be eligible for consideration for certain assignments.

Knowledge and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: legal forms, documents, and terminology; the operation, procedures and jurisdiction of the courts.

Considerable knowledge of: the Rules of Court and court related sections of the Civil Code, Code of Civil Procedures, Evidence Code, Probate Code, Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Vehicle, Code, and Government Code; of the record and computer systems of the Courts.

Working knowledge of: English grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and basic arithmetic; modern office practices, procedures, and office equipment.

Ability to

• Maintain a professional demeanor in formal courtroom settings.
• Record, prepare and maintain court proceedings quickly and accurately.
• Learn new computer applications including, but not limited to, electronic recording.
• Listen carefully to note pertinent information for court records.
• Understand and interpret written materials and oral directions, including the ability to read a file and identify the flow and status of the case.
• Explain laws, procedures and policies involved in processing court cases.
• Speak to/address large groups effectively under pressure and in varied work situations.
• Locate, identify and correct technical inaccuracies.
• Work independently in performing assignments and in resolving problems and deviations.
• Work as a relief clerk rotating between courtrooms and branches.
• Use independent initiative and discretion in organizing work and carrying out instructions within a structured environment, and remain calm in a highly demanding environment.
• Operate a variety of office equipment.
• Establish and maintain a professional working relationship and open communication between self, supervisor, manager, judges, attorneys, the general public, and other court employees.
• Work flexible hours and maintain confidentiality.

Accommodation

Applicants with a disability who may require special assistance in any step of the selection process should advise Human Resources by emailing [e-mail] 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.

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.