Court Clerk-District-and-County Courts - District Clerk - J01080 - 35300

SUMMARY:  Provides clerical assistance to County or District Courts, including responsibility for filing and processing of legal documents.   Assists in maintaining organization in the court room and performs a variety of well-defined clerical functions which follow established procedures.

The employee is required to be on duty before, during, and after natural disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Department Head. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Depending on whether assigned to a district court (civil or criminal) or to a county court-at-law, performs all or most of the following:

Provides assistance to court, court manager, and attorneys as needed.

Provides and assists with legal documents during court.

Receives dockets for each court, assembles files for each day and makes appropriate entries on dockets and files legal documents presented to the court.

Retrieves files based on signed orders or motions.

Reads file to determine cause and status of the case.

Determines by motions and orders submitted what actions(s) is required; prepares and files necessary paperwork to accomplish the action(s).

Prepares judgment and sentence papers as required and may calculate jail time and give the defendant credit in criminal cases.

Opens and processes mail.

Prepares jury lists; reviews and approves juror deletions from attorneys, ensuring adherence to statutes; and assists in seating and swearing in jurors.

Records civil and/or criminal minutes.

Reviews and verifies accuracy of information prior to issuing legal documents.

Closes out case files and tabulates court costs and notifies parties.

Maintains records on case status.

Responds to requests for information on status and disposition of cases.

Prepares transcripts of criminal appeals, if applicable.

Reviews and follows up on files for cases without action.

Issues various documents under orders from the judge, obtains appropriate signatures and notifies applicable parties.

Answers telephone and receive visitors.

Provides and assists with legal documents during court.  Must assist in the documentation procedures of the Juvenile, Civil and Criminal Courts including but not limited to the preparation of stipulations, court orders, judgements and disposition and other court related work.

Prepares all paperwork for detention hearings and contacts attorneys as needed for court hearings.

Receives petitions from prosecutors, files stamp, assigns case number, attorney and court date.  Completes and routes all paperwork related to process.

Assists in maintaining juvenile court docket including the immediate rescheduling of cases that are re-set by the court.

Maintain control of juvenile and district court files at all times.

Prepares monthly report of disposition and monthly report of court costs collected in juvenile cases.  Prepares appropriate paperwork related to process.

Checks orders, judgments, motions and other paperwork for completeness and proper signature.

Attends and assists courts at arraignments, pre-trial conferences and docket calls.

Acts as liaison between court, attorneys, bonds people, prosecutor’s office, sheriff’s department, probation department, county or district clerk's office and the public.

Seals file, completes TCIC requests, prepares order sealing file/records for judge’s signature.  Sends copies of orders to CCPD and other law enforcement agencies.

Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with courses in typing or word processing, plus at least two years of experience as a legal secretary or performing clerical functions for a court (directly related business school or college may be substituted equally for up to one year of work experience).

Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, may be considered for current Nueces County employees only.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions and percentages.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures including automated statistical and record keeping systems.

Working knowledge of local court rules.

Working knowledge of any combination of the following:  Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Penal Code, Family Code, Probate Code and Rules of Eminent Domain Proceedings.

Familiarity with complex legal documents, instruments, records and reports. Excellent command of the English language and knowledge of legal terminology.

Ability to type accurately at a speed of at least 40 words per minute.

Ability to operate standard office machines.

Ability to operate or demonstrated ability to learn automated word processing equipment.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, members of the legal profession and the general public.