The below written article give a brief over view of what the court clerk job description is.
The title called court clerk is given to the individual called as officer of court working with the chief judge in looking the administration of the court. The court clerks are vital to aid in supervision of the cases all through the court and keep the proper record of it. The clerks are also needed to govern the oath to witnesses, jurors, and the grand jurors. They also work to ensure that the court documents and records are accurate and precise; and also the proceedings are followed in the proper order.
They also give the face to face client service in their office and assist them in clearing the queries related to case and their filling in the court. Court clerks do the research and make the copies of the official documents and perform some other administrative tasks.
Even though it sounds straightforward and simple, the clerks have to perform different functions for the easy survival of the job which comprises the:
- Trials
- Managing court records
- Miscellaneous functions
- Customer service
The clerk is the essential part of the court; even the fact is that the court will not be able to work without the highly efficient clerk to hold the daily tasks.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Performing the secretarial and clerical duties like filing, typing, attending appointments of the court, and answering calls etc.
- Administer pledge to jurors, witnesses, grand jurors in the course of hearings and trials.
- Endorse the copies of the records, make the docket of coming cases, contact the witnesses, litigants and lawyers of the court and instruct them for the hearings.
- Transcribe and record minutes of the court hearings, hold financial record charge and perform as guardian of the seal and records of the court.
- Collection of the fees and other charges done through the court.
- Preparing the reports, forms and processing the warrants and petitions.
- Makes proper note of the decisions of the court, reviews the records and handling the court communications.
- Match up with other departments and the employees in the other official matters.
- Organizing and issuing the orders of court.
- Maintaining the official records of the court bar.
Qualification and Skills Required
Education / Training:
Every profession demands certain pre-requisites for the position. The person aspiring to become clerk needs to pass the high diploma or any other equivalent education. They can also have the business school degree in hand. But most of the times, having the degree of bachelor’s in the public administration, law or business is preferred by the court officials.
In spite of all these, the person also needs to have proper internship program in the recognized Juvenile Court Services or the Juvenile Probation Department in the department of the law and order.
Skills:
- Must be attentive enough to hear details properly.
- Strong communication skills.
- Fair coordination skills.
- Self confidence.
- Basic knowledge of the computers to fill the records in the computer.
- Capability to work in the shifts.
- Ability to maintain good relations with the public.
- Capability to handle the administrative tasks of the court.
Professional Growth
The job outlook for the court clerk is expected to rise by 10 percent in the year of 2011 to 2018 which is somewhat less than as compared to other occupations. However, the job advancement in the field can be possible with the experience in the federal departments and by getting the specialization of the master’s degree.
