Court Clerk

Performs a variety complex clerical duties designed to expedite the functions, actions, judgments, processes, and procedures associated with the Municipal Court.

• Performs clerical tasks; receives, logs, and files incoming citations and complaints; maintains various records documenting the business of the Court, i.e., Court dispositions, fines, bond payments, etc.; utilizes software and maintains cross reference recovery system; receives mail, sorts and processes; receives and processes fax documents; under strict guidelines as may be approved by the Municipal Judge, oversees the receipt and processing of fines and fees; ensures the accuracy of monthly accounting records; records payments made through the mail.
• Schedules Court dockets; coordinates various schedules, i.e., judge, attorneys, police officers; maintains Court docket for cases as may be required; participates in victim assistance processes. Coordinates and notifies victims of court proceedings. Provides clerical support to the Town Prosecutor.  Researches and responds to records requests made by the military, the Department of Corrections, other Courts, and attorneys.
• Receives telephone calls and refers to appropriate person; answers questions about trial or hearing schedules, and assists the public in resolving questions regarding various  processes and papers; provides information about Court procedures and schedules; sets appointments.
• Receives and processes summonses from Police Department, enters all Court dockets, warrants, Court proceedings, and financial information into the records management database; enters daily ticket dispositions, forfeitures, and other funds received by the Court.
• Maintains the fiscal records of the Court as needed and required by law; prepares receipts for moneys mailed or paid in person for bails, fines, fees, and penalties; posts payment decisions and other information in computerized ledger; maintains a record of checks returned.
• Reviews citation abstracts; monitors payment records of defendants to assure conformity to judgments and payment schedules; initiates contact with individuals for collection of past due fine payments; prepares pleadings for failure to appear; utilizes legal processes such as late letters, late notices, summons, bench warrants, warrants of arrest, orders to show cause, trial orders, notices and information; documents payments and posts to appropriate defendant record.
• Maintains law library; posts dockets on various financial matters in relation to individual cases. Coordinates and corresponds with other jurisdictions regarding prisoner bonds and prisoner transports.  Arranges releases from and transports to the Archuleta County Jail.  Reviews the daily roster of the Archuleta County Jail; tracks inmate bookings and releases.
• Prepares various reports and tracking documents as required by the Municipal Judge. Provides convictions and dispositions to the media on a regular basis.
• Performs various in-Court duties; prepares and pulls case files; assures proper completion of forms by defendants; identifies defendants failing to appear and initiates process for issuing warrants; takes minutes and maintains record of Court proceedings; makes minute entries; opens and closes Court as required; calls cases; dockets Court orders and results, sets up tracking code; receives and dockets notices of appeal; under general supervision of the Judge, types or prepares supplemental motions, orders to show cause,  and executions.
• Makes and maintains digital records of all Court proceedings; transcribes records as required; prepares judgments, orders, etc.; attends scheduled Court hearings, meetings with the Town Prosecutor, arraignments, and trials.
• Participates in the appointment of Court-appointed attorneys; requests and coordinates translation services; reschedules Court dockets; coordinates as needed with Judge Pro-Tem; coordinates bond transactions with other jail facilities; schedules prisoner transports to the Court; coordinates and schedules meetings with defendants and Town Prosecutors; submits weekly and quarterly reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles; coordinates jury trials and juror notifications; coordinates transcription services.
• Performs duties of Collections Investigator; refers appropriate accounts to debt recovery services; assesses fees to accounts referred to debt recovery; requests written reports of collections activity from the debt recovery service; credits all collected amounts; withdraws appropriate accounts from debt recovery service.
• Orders Court and Probation supplies.
• May provide functional guidance on certain tasks to the Deputy Court Clerk.
• Performs related duties as required.

High School diploma or equivalent plus specialized training in general office practices and skills provided through seminars, workshops, college courses, or in-service training; AND three (3) years of experience related to above or similar duties; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Working knowledge of legal and Court terminology; Municipal Court processes and procedures; knowledge of municipal government, Court management, probation procedures, law enforcement, and legal responsibilities; case management and processing; fine and fee schedules; basic accounting and bookkeeping; computerized records management program; office methods and equipment, telephone operations and receptionist functions; complex filing systems, and computerized applications for records filing.
Skill in the operation of personal computer and various program applications.
Ability to read and interpret common financial reports and documents; respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; compute rate, ratio, and percent; draw and interpret graphs; solve practical problems and deal with multiple variables in situations where limited standardization exists; interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form; add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; work under stressful working conditions created by strict time frames; learn legal and Court document formats; learn criminal law as it applies to Court processes; manage angry individuals and unpleasant situations; communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; develop effective working relationships with co-workers, appointed officials, professionals, and the public.