Courtroom Clerk (Juvenile)

Division/Department: Juvenile Department

Location: Montgomery County Circuit Court, 50 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850

Salary: $58,398

Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt

About the Role

The Courtroom Clerk performs experienced clerical work within the courtroom, including assisting the judge with the docket, operating CourtSmart, administering oaths, preparing paperwork for signatures, and entering the Judge’s findings in MDEC for Montgomery County Circuit Court. Performs other duties as needed outside of assigned responsibilities to support the court’s goals and aid in the improvement and success of the court.

Responsibilities

• Prepares for court by ensuring dockets are in order and necessary forms are available.
• Takes simultaneous notes of court proceedings to make a handwritten record for case files, including civil, criminal, family, juvenile, paternity, and District Court appeals.
• Generates all necessary paperwork and secures necessary signatures on forms (e.g., bail bonds, temporary commitments, release forms, recall bench warrant forms, cost sheets, advise of rights forms, probation contracts).
• Administers oaths; keeps accurate records of witnesses; empanels jury and receives verdict; operates recording system.
• Administers oaths to jurors, witnesses, and interpreters; takes notes and generates necessary paperwork in accordance with the rulings of the court.
• Updates all court files to include civil, criminal, juvenile, and family cases; inputs data as needed to complete court files.
• Tests courtroom equipment for proper operation.
• Ensures that all parties are present and in the courtroom prior to calling the Judge into the courtroom.
• Enters case dispositions, judgments, postponements, fines, and costs ordered by the judge into the court's case management system.
• Calculates all court costs and fees and issues bills; records and enters key points for records of each case.
• Provides administrative assistance to Judges and Magistrates, as required.
• Assists with other clerical functions when not assigned to the courtroom.

Requirements

Education: High School diploma (or GED equivalent).

Experience: Two (2) years of work experience, to include one (1) year in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal, or financial services.

• A Bachelor's Degree may substitute the required work experience.
• A Paralegal/Associates Degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience.
• A Paralegal Certificate may substitute the required work experience.

Skills

Knowledge Of

• Court forms, practices, procedures, protocols, systems, and equipment required to support the specialized work of the assigned unit(s).
• Legal terminology and court procedures.
• Judicial policies, procedures, and forms.
• Basic English and arithmetic to include, but not limited to, spelling, punctuation, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill In

• Operation of recording equipment, computer terminals, and related software.
• Typing on a personal computer.
• Managing priorities to meet critical deadlines while multitasking.

Ability To

• Acquire knowledge of Maryland Judiciary procedures, rules, practices, regulations, and jurisdictional courts.
• Make work decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and Judiciary policies and procedures.
• Apply job-related terminology, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws to define problems, collect data, establish facts, record data, appropriately complete forms, and provide information to customers.
• Communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing.
• Follow procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for any given assignment.
• Multitask, adjust to situations quickly, set priorities, and handle pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Work within time constraints, meet fixed deadlines, and demonstrate good organizational skills.
• Handle sensitive or difficult situations requiring discretion and confidentiality.
• Understand and carry out complex verbal and written instructions.
• Pay attention to detail.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys.
• Use and maintain alphabetical and numerical filing systems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, superiors, and/or the general public.
• Use a strong, clear voice when administering oaths, taking roll calls, calling the docket, and receiving the verdict in jury trials.
• Perform Courtroom Clerk duties for multiple case types.

Physical Requirements

Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition assistance
• Continuing education programs
• Employee assistance programs
• State Retirement and Pension plans