Judiciary Clerk Criminal

Location: Prince George's County Circuit Court, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Salary: $51,079

About the role

The Judiciary Clerk performs case processing duties and functions necessary to process and maintain court files for Criminal cases in the Clerk’s Office for Prince George's County Circuit Court.

Responsibilities

• Enter pertinent information into the computer and process documents.
• Assist the public, attorneys, judges, Calendar Management, Department of Corrections, Parole and Probation, and other agencies either on the phone or in person regarding case status and Clerk’s Office procedures.
• Operate cash register and process bonds.
• Prepare new case files by reading charging documents, typing initial docket entries, and establishing case file folders for documents. Case types include Criminal Appeals, Criminal Jury Trial, Criminal Trial upon indictment or information, and Miscellaneous cases.
• Maintain cases by entering pertinent information in the computer; make copies of orders and mail them out; determine if the case needs to be forwarded for further action; add or end counsel; perform data control.
• Process cases via mail and cases returned from court hearings, chambers, etc.
• Assist the public and attorneys by providing information about the status of cases or Clerk’s Office procedures, either on the phone or in person at the counter within allowed guidelines.
• Prepare and process summons, writs, commitments, releases, bail bonds, bills for costs, warrants, expungement cases, etc., and make appropriate entries in the computer system; forward to the Sheriffs, Department of Correction, Parole and Probation, etc. as required.
• Pull cases and print dockets for upcoming trials and hearings.
• Deliver and retrieve case files to and from various locations in the courthouse.

Requirements

• High school diploma (or GED equivalent).
• One (1) year of work experience, preferably in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal or financial services.
• A Bachelor’s Degree, Paralegal/Associate’s Degree, 60 college credits, or a Paralegal Certificate may substitute the required work experience.
• Knowledge of general office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Familiarity with standard legal forms and documents used in the Judiciary.
• Basic English and arithmetic skills, including spelling, punctuation, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skills

• Customer service and handling problems tactfully and patiently.
• Typing on a personal computer with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Use of standard office and business equipment, including personal computers, word processing, spreadsheets, database software, copier, cash register, scanner, fax machine, etc.
• Use and maintain numerical filing systems to locate files until all cases are completely scanned.
• Communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing.
• Understand and abide by departmental rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys.
• Follow procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for any given assignment.
• Use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying appropriate policy, procedure, rule, law, and/or regulation to a situation.

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.

Equipment, Machinery, and Tools

• Personal Computer for daily intake and output of work.
• Copy machine for copying documents.
• Fax Machine for faxing documents to outside agencies.
• Printer.
• Telephone.
• Cash Register.
• Scanner to scan documents into Odyssey.

Software and Computer Skills

• Microsoft Word to process documents in Odyssey.
• Microsoft Excel to create and access spreadsheets.
• Adobe Reader.
• Microsoft Outlook to access email.
• Teams to relay information between clerks and judges.
• Windows.
• Connect to submit timesheets, leave requests, and employee evaluations.
• Odyssey to process cases.
• File & Serve to accept e-filings.

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.