Courtroom Clerk I

Superior Court of California; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Superior Court of California is seeking a Courtroom Clerk I to perform a range of clerical and administrative duties for hearings and courtroom proceedings. This entry-level position supports court events, records minutes, and routes sentencing documentation under supervision.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED, and candidates typically have 1 year of related experience or 3 years of clerical work. Strong attention to detail and confidentiality are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience level: 1 year as Court Services Clerk or 3 years of clerical work.
• Business training can substitute up to 6 months of experience.
• Desirable: 2 years of legal clerical experience.

Responsibilities

• Sets and maintains schedule of Court events.
• Attends Court sessions and records minutes of Court proceedings.
• Prepares, certifies and routes documents for sentencing disposition.
• Notifies Probation Department of verdicts and sentencing dates.
• Dockets criminal cases and completes case action cards.
• Types and files legal documents and court records.
• Schedules calendar matters for attorneys and prepares billing records.
• Receives, labels and stores exhibits; sets hearings and accepts filings.
• Administers oaths and may assist in training new staff.
• Verifies daily calendars and understands legal codes and terminology.

Skills

Typing speed

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Communication

Time management

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Job description

Under general supervision, performs a variety of clerical and administrative duties related to court hearings and courtroom proceedings. Courtroom Clerk I is a single-level classification utilized to perform courtroom duties and related clerical support functions. This is the entry and journey level in the Courtroom Clerk series. This class is appropriate for positions where the primary focus of the work is on clerical and administrative courtroom support work. Courtroom Clerk I's are expected to advance to the II level when the minimum qualifications for the higher class have been met and satisfactory performance has been demonstrated. This class is distinguished from the higher-level Courtroom Clerk III class in that the latter performs the more difficult and highly technical courtroom work and/or has responsibility for leading, training and assigning the work of Courtroom Clerks. The Courtroom Clerk series is distinguished from the Court Services Clerk Series in that the latter performs legal processing work, while the work performed in this class is related to court hearings and courtroom proceedings.

• Sets and maintains schedule of Court events
• Attends Court sessions and records minutes of Court proceedings
• Prepares, certifies and routes documentation to establish sentencing disposition of defendants
• Notifies Probation Department of verdicts and dates of sentencing
• Dockets criminal cases
• Completes Register of Action cards for Civil, Small Claims, Family Law, Adoption, Probate, Juvenile, Writ of Habeas Corpus, Criminal, and Traffic cases
• Types a variety of legal documents and records of Court activities
• Schedules future calendar matters for attorneys
• Receives, labels, securely stores and routes Court exhibits and evidence
• Sets hearings and accepts filings for courtroom proceedings
• Administers oaths
• Orders and/or cancels juries
• Records jury attendance
• Impanels juries
• Prepares record of billing and/or reimbursement claims for juror expenses
• Prepares, types, files and distributes legal documents and correspondence to reflect judicial decisions
• Maintains jury instructions
• Maintains statistics to assist in preparation of Judicial Council reports
• Sets up and maintains tickler files for Court cases taken under submission
• Reviews and maintains judicial case files
• Files case documents
• Researches and responds to inquiries regarding cases and Court-related matters
• Issues and distributes bench warrants
• Recalls bench warrants at the direction of the Judge or Commissioner
• Prepares and mails disposition notices of daily Court proceedings
• Orders bail reviews and formal sentencing reports
• May assist in training new staff
• Prepares minutes for use in courtroom
• Sets court cases for trial
• Verifies accuracy of daily calendars for Court purposes
• Comprehend and analyze legal codes and terminology

Reasonable accommodation will be made, when requested, and as determined by the Court Executive Officer to be appropriate under applicable law. Essential duties may vary as directed by the Court Executive Officer or designee.

Education

Possession of High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Experience

One (1) year of experience equivalent to a Court Services Clerk (any level); OR, three (3) years of responsible clerical experience. One (1) year of business training in an approved school or training program may substitute for a maximum of 6 months of experience.

Desirable Qualification

Two (2) years legal clerical experience involving working knowledge of general court procedures.

KNOWLEDGE

• Alpha/numeric filing systems and recordkeeping
• Proper English spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Court procedures, operations and personnel
• General types of criminal charges
• Arraignment procedures
• California DMV codes as accessible by computer
• Legal terminology
• Outlying court calendars
• Criminal justice agencies and available resources, general agencies, County departments and other parties to court proceedings
• Proper handling and maintenance of evidence
• General California laws and codes
• DMV and Department of Justice procedures
• Office supplies and inventory methods

ABILITY

• Write quickly, accurately and legibly
• Exercise sound practical judgment expeditiously
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information
• Follow oral and written instructions
• Prioritize work to meet scheduling and legal deadlines
• Think logically
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate accurate, precise attention to detail
• Exhibit good mental retention and interpretation of information
• Exercise tact, patience and flexibility in work relationships
• Monitor and retain flow of auditory information while writing
• Enunciate and pronounce words and names properly
• Read and interpret code books, legal forms, manuals and documents
• Establish and maintain positive work relationships
• Follow safe work practices as directed and trainedSafely operate a motor vehicle
• Flexibly alternate attention among a variety of tasks

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid California Class 'C' driver's license. Ability to qualify for security clearance through fingerprinting, traffic and criminal record background investigation, and random drug testing. Ability to sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity; eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to twenty (20) pounds; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Travel may be required outside of Kings County to attend meetings, conferences, and training.