Courtroom Clerk

About the role

The Circuit Court utilizes state-of-the-art technology to ensure judicial efficiency by integrating modern technologies into traditional courtroom activities. The incumbent should feel comfortable using computers and electronic systems including court case management systems, scanning imaging software, electronic docket scheduling systems, and e-filing.

Responsibilities

• Maintains dockets of scheduled cases;
• Attends court proceedings, arraigns defendants, and administers oaths and affirmations;
• Records case dispositions, court orders, or arrangements made for payment of court fees;
• Prepares documents recording the outcomes of court proceedings;
• Manages chain of custody of physical and demonstrative evidence proffered and admitted during trial;
• Examines legal documents submitted to courts for adherence to laws and/or court procedures;
• Prepares and processes court orders, probation referrals, release documentation, criminal sentencing information, or summonses.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the functions of the assigned business areas and/or court procedures;
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Supreme Court's Clerk's Manual, laws and regulations related to the assigned business areas;
• Knowledge of standard administrative procedures, practices, and equipment;
• Ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to demonstrate and enforce courtroom decorum;
• Ability to take and transcribe notes of court proceedings;
• Ability to read and understand information presented in writing;
• Ability to exercise tact and diplomacy;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals, including the judges, general public, members of the legal and business community, and department staff.

Qualifications

• Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to high school graduation; plus four years of experience providing administrative support, technical support, customer service, or working in a court or legal environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree;
• Four or more years of experience working in a federal or state trial court or other legal environment;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience conducting legal research and preparing legal documents;
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia and regulations in relevant areas;
• Experience in managing confidential court records or confidential public records;
• Ability to multitask and work with limited direction to address identified objectives;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, initiative, creativity, and independent judgment;
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite applications, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Physical Requirements

• Position requires sitting in courtroom for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift boxes and push a cart weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Must be able to enter and retrieve data from a computer.