Court Clerk I

Under the supervision of the District/Trial Court Administrator, performs a variety of complex clerical tasks involved in processing civil, criminal and traffic cases. Provides information and assistance to law enforcement officers, attorneys, defendants and court patrons. Substitutes for other court staff and provides general clerical assistance to the Judges and administrative staff. Performs work in one or more of the following areas of the court: civil, criminal, traffic, or other areas as individually assigned.

Civil:

1. Opens, processes and closes general civil, small claims and summary proceedings cases. Records and processes complaints and pleadings, distributes and files civil documents, enters case information into the computer, coordinates service of process, prepares legal documents, and enters defaults, orders and judgments.  
2. Operates a computer terminal to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.   
3. Ensures case files are complete and ready for scheduled court proceedings.    
4. Documents case activity and other pertinent case information on court documents and in the computer; maintains case histories on each case.    
5. Provides information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, defendants, court patrons and agencies about court policies and procedures, case status, scheduling of court proceedings and civil proceedings in general.   
6. Schedules court proceedings and issues proper notices to the appropriate parties. Processes requests for adjournments in accordance with court policy.   
7. Processes garnishments and other post-judgment matters. Issues writs of garnishments and coordinates service of process.   
   
   
   Traffic: 
8. Receives, records, and codes traffic citations from area law enforcement agencies. Verifies defendants’ driving records, enters case information into the computer, and files tickets. Closes cases following dispositions.  
9. Operates a computer to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.  
10. Provides information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, defendants, court patrons, and agencies about court policies and procedures, rights and options, case status, scheduling of court proceedings and traffic proceedings in general.  
11. Schedules civil infraction informal hearings and issues notification to the appropriate parties.  
12. Monitors case files and initiates enforcement action on overdue citations. Prepares and issues default judgments, bond forfeiture notices, and notices and orders of license suspensions approved by the court.
13. Audits computer generated abstracts of conviction to ensure accuracy and submits abstracts to the Michigan Secretary of State
    
    
    Criminal:
14. Receives criminal complaints and related documents, opens case files, enters case information into the computer, and files case documents.  
15. Operates a computer terminal to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.  
16. Reviews court records to verify if defendants have other open case files and/or outstanding warrants prior to arraignments.  
17. Ensures that case files are ready and available for scheduled court proceedings. Checks in defendants, attorneys and others.  
18. Documents case activity and other pertinent case information on court documents and in the computer; maintains case history on each case.  
19. Provides information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, defendants, court patrons and agencies about court policies and procedures, case status, scheduling of court proceedings and criminal proceedings in general.           
20. Schedules court proceedings and notifies appropriate parties.  
21. Prepares cases for bind-over to Circuit Court.  
22. Reviews court appointed attorney statements and submits to financial clerk.  
23. Prepares, processes and distributes jail commitments, notices, suspensions and other legal documents.
    
    
    Other Duties:
24. Answers the telephone and responds to inquiries or directs the call, and assists people at the counter. Assists in handling the telephone overload from other District Court departments.  
25. Issues and processes writs and subpoenas and other post judgment matters. Coordinates service of process.  
26. Assists in other areas of the court as required.  
27. Receives and receipts fines, costs, restitution, bonds and fees. Runs daily totals of receipts.   
28. Opens mail, logs payments into payment log, distributes payments and other mail to proper court staff.  
29. Provides criminal record information to requesting parties in accordance with established court policy.  
30. Removes old case files from the shelves. 

None listed.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed.  Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.

Education:  Associate’s degree in data processing, accounting, or related area desired, or equivalent experience. 

Experience:  One year of general office experience, preferably in a district court or closely related setting.

Qualifications:

Skills in running zoom efficiently and troubleshooting according to the situation. Skills in multi-tasking in the courtroom with the exacting nature of no mistakes with a very strict time in which they must be accomplished.

Skills in organization for all tickets that need to be scheduled for hearing and that are already on the docket.

Skills in working with the public, including difficult people at times. Knowledgeable in the use of all office equipment.

Other Requirements:   

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description.  The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

FLSA Status:  Non-exempt

Workers’ Compensation Code:  8810

Occupational Employment Statistical Code:  53702

Physical Requirements:  {This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and working conditions.  Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements}:

Ability to access various files throughout the court.

Ability to operate copying machine and other office equipment. 

Ability to enter and access information to the computer.

Ability to lift and carry files to work area.

Prolonged sitting for data entry and prolonged standing when receipting money.

Working Conditions:

Works in office conditions.

Exposure to persons charged or convicted of criminal offenses.