Senior Judiciary Clerk Criminal

Location: Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, Annapolis, Maryland

Salary: $56,264

About the role

This is a hybrid clerical position performing both Judiciary Clerk (case processing) and Courtroom Clerk duties and responsibilities on a continuous basis. The role requires knowledge of case management, courtroom protocols, and procedures to assist Judges or Magistrates with the daily docket.

Responsibilities

• Process all pleadings, forms, and orders pertaining to cases and provide information to the public and attorneys at the counter and via telephone.
• Receive, enter, and account for all monies received by the court for fines, court costs, and other fees utilizing a computerized cash register.
• Assist judicial officer in courtroom, log hearing process and outcomes on hearing sheet, swear in witnesses, etc.
• Prepare new case files by reading charging documents, typing initial docket entries, and establishing electronic case files.
• Process new cases and send them out for service of legal process via the Sheriff’s Office, private process, or certified mail.
• Maintain case docket by entering records of documents/pleadings as they are received using a computer keyboard.
• Process and maintain case files by reviewing pleadings, typing docket information, and establishing case file folders.
• Prepare case files and ensure all necessary documents are complete and accurate in accordance with established court procedures.
• Ensure proper completion of various court-related forms and provide information regarding court policies and procedures.
• Assist the public and attorneys by providing information about the status of cases or Clerk's office procedures both at the counter and by telephone.
• Greet and assist the public and court-related personnel, responding to inquiries regarding court policies and procedures.
• Provide administrative support for courtroom proceedings, including criminal, arraignments, and violation of parole hearings.
• Perform duties of a Courtroom Clerk as needed, including recording proceedings, preparing forms/paperwork, and entering case dispositions, judgments, postponements, fines, and costs into the court’s management system.
• Prepare, process, and review summonses, writs, commitments, releases, bail bonds, bills for costs, etc., via computer system.
• Review and process legal documents such as bench warrants, bond forfeitures, subpoenas, summonses, appeals, continuances, commitment papers, and court dockets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Two (2) years of work experience, including one (1) year 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.

Skills

• 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.
• 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, copiers, microfilm machines, registers, scanners, and fax machines.
• Use and maintenance of alphabetical and numerical filing systems.
• Clear, tactful, and effective communication with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing.
• Understanding and adherence to departmental rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys.
• Application of court procedures accurately and effectively in accordance with courtroom protocols.
• Following procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for assignments.
• Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Independent judgment in interpreting and applying appropriate policy, procedure, rule, law, and/or regulation to situations.
• Multitasking, quick adjustment to situations, setting priorities, and handling pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, superiors, and the general public.
• Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions.
• Reading and interpreting comments and notations.

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 to access all software applications.
• Scanner.
• Copier to make copies.
• Fax machine to send and receive correspondence.
• Multi-line telephone.

Software and Computer Skills

• MDEC: Odyssey and File & Serve.
• MS Office.
• Typing speed of 35 WPM.
• Outlook.

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.
• Telework eligibility: 1 day per week, based on job functions and approval of the Administrative Head.