Court Clerk

Pursuant to the terms of GR 29, all Municipal Court personnel are under the supervision of the presiding judge under the direction from the Court Administrator. This position performs routine clerical work in support of municipal court and it requires public relations involvement, some independent judgment, and organizational skills.  

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist the public, defendants and attorneys on the phone, through email and at the counter by answering questions related to court policies and procedures.
• Download and file citations and infractions
• Receive, review and process motions
• Issue FTA’s on infractions and citations.
• Schedule and mail all hearing type notices to parties.
• Respond to various requests for public information.
• Monitor case dispositions for compliance
• Within established guidelines, determine and take necessary action on non-compliant cases.   May include printing ordered warrants and or working in cooperation with department of licensing to suspend a license.
• Maintain courtroom audio equipment, certification and transcripts of all proceedings for appeal to superior court.
• Clerk courtroom during session, record proceedings, maintain recording logs, mark exhibits.
• Maintain accurate data entry in all court software
• Prepare and process orders for commitment and release, warrants, subpoenas, summonses, and other legal documents as ordered by the court.
• Prepare criminal and infraction court calendars. Ensure appropriate documentation is scanned.
• Assist in jury trial preparation
• Report dispositions to the Department of Licensing timely and accurately.
• Report dispositions to Washington State Patrol timely and accurately.
• Process photo enforcement violations
• Must be observant and alert to the activity of any individual that might be dangerous or hazardous to those in or near the courtroom or front office.
• Act as cashier, accept and receipt court payments at the counter, by mail, by credit card and other electronic means.  
• Sort and route mail, respond to written correspondence
• Prepare fine payment agreements, monitor files for payment, and within established guidelines take appropriate action on past due accounts.
• Reconcile receipts daily
• Perform primary filing and scanning of documents

Knowledge/Skills:

• Municipal Court practices and procedures
• Local ordinances, state laws and regulations
• Familiarity with various office equipment
• Telephone techniques and etiquette
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary

• Maintain confidentiality
• Accurately follow laws, rules and court policies and procedures.
• Perform a wide variety of complex court-related clerical duties accurately
• Deal effectively with defendants and the public in high-stress situations
• Work in-depth as a “team member”
• Work independently and understand the need for confidentiality
• Attend ongoing training
• Operate courtroom electronic equipment
• Operate a variety of standard office machines and equipment
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Maintain accurate records
• Type at an acceptable rate of speed
• Utilize interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
• Calculate figures and amounts

• Office or courtroom environment. Constant interruptions.

• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
• Seeing/reading a variety of materials
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone
• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to file materials.  May be required to lift up to 30 lbs.

• Contact with dissatisfied or potentially angry members of the public.