Description / Position Overview Courtroom Assistant
The purpose of this position is to provide paraprofessional support in the judicial processing of courtroom activities and cases. This is accomplished by performing duties requiring specialized knowledge in courtroom methods. Technical duties involve the processing of cases and the application of policy and procedure to legal requirements of warrants, bail, bonds, jail, jury, monies, speedy trial, and compliance with orders. Other duties may include: courtroom jail clerk, referee clerk, juvenile jail preparation, maintaining deferred sentence dockets, and Jury Commissioner duties.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: I
This is the entry level class in the Courtroom Assistant series. This class is distinguished from the (II level) by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series and by the level of supervision required in the performance of assigned duties. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.
Essential Functions:
70% - Manages courtroom activities and functions by providing administrative and paraprofessional support to the Judges and court staff. Maintains order and decorum in the courtroom; enforces courtroom rules and professional protocols; administers witness oaths; maintains efficient in-court case flow processing; ensures the accuracy and timely entry of case dispositions in the case management system; coordinates interpreter, attorney, witness, and legal guardian appearances in court; calculates and clarifies judicial sentences; reviews file for documentation of reports; directs jurors assigned to a courtroom; marks exhibits when admitted as evidence; compiles legal documents and verifies charges for accuracy and legal sufficiency; schedules future court dates. Provides research for criminal and traffic histories; notifies law enforcement of wants and warrants; interprets judicial directives and ensures execution and compliance with court orders; resolves inquiries regarding case status and court procedures; identifies operational and administrative inefficiencies; prepares and maintains judicial surveys; and provides technical and functional direction to court staff utilizing acquired knowledge of policies and procedures, and accounting practices.
10% - Prepares court dockets to ensure required documents are present; becomes fully familiar with pertinent conditions, sentence, and pending issues for each case. Reviews cases prior to court sessions in preparation of judicial review; verifies all cases are scheduled, any active bench warrants, screens, and rewrites juvenile cases; coordinates with law enforcement any detainee needing to appear at court and administers any legal documents necessary; coordinates court date with detention center if applicable; verifies bond amounts, retained attorneys, interpreter appearance, compliance with probation requirements, and monies due; researches, identifies, and consults with court staff on cases requiring attention; identifies and resolves any case related issues; ensures accuracy and sufficiency of legal documents to meet jurisdictional requirements; updates electronic case files; prepares courtroom for proceeding including recording devices; processes defendants to be called on cases; and notifies judges of any cases needing special attention.
5% - Clears The Court Docket and Closes the Session. Collects court documents from various court departments; reviews entries on official court record for accurate data input and consistency in court record and alerts of any discrepancies; maintains and records any evidence or exhibits; arranges for release or retention of weapons and evidence; calendars future court dates; verifies defendant compliance with court orders; advises judge of any non-compliance and general implementation of post disposition orders; corresponds with jail facility on inmates confined; follows up with law enforcement process of service documents, jail, DMV, and court appointed counsel; records jury deposits and court dates; monitors defendant's compliance with court orders if necessary; prepares correspondence to law enforcement of any charging document insufficiencies; and maintain accurate statistics.
5% - Manages appeal process of cases filed. Serves as point of contact for appeal filings; processes and monitors the intake of all appeal cases filed; prepares, reviews, and files the court record with District Court; follows mandated deadlines for filings; monitors status in District Court; and prepares and reviews all requests for court hearing transcripts.
5% - May be required to manage and coordinate the Court's jury selection process as Jury Commissioner. Summons prospective jurors; selects and impanels citizens for jury service; assembles jurors called; resolves juror inquiries; maintains official jury records; reviews and verifies jury excusals; prepares case files with jury instructions; updates and maintains accurate records in jury management system; prepares jury assembly room for use; retrieves requested jury pool and escorts into courtroom; prepares jury verdict forms; performs NCOA updates; assists with analysis for proper jury security; subpoenas jurors for failure to appear if needed; and attends annual training and meetings.
5% - May be required to manage and coordinate activities as Referee Clerk. Prepares court files for trials; schedules and coordinates witness appearance through subpoenas; closes session in case management system; prepares and manages subpoena process for trials; reviews, closes, and monitors sessions; prints session minutes; maintains official records; updates codes books; and merges referee orders with cases and files appropriately.
Note - Time spent on each essential function will vary based on operational needs and is only intended to be an approximation over the course of a full year. Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function in the performance of this job.
Relevant Background and Formal Education
Demonstrated skills, competencies, and knowledge required for this job are most often acquired through the following practical experience and level of academic education and training as suggested below.
Education: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade (high school diploma or GED).
Experience: Three years of full-time, professional experience in a related field.
Education and Experience Equivalency: One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.
Certifications and Licenses: Must possess or be able to acquire the following certifications and/or licenses required in accordance with standards established by departmental policy. At this time, there are no required certifications and/or licenses required.
Technical Skills: Intermediate Skills and Knowledge: Work requires intermediate skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which support the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.
Specialized Computer Equipment and Software: Microsoft Office, court case management software, and outside agency justice information systems.
Additional Information
Supervision Exercised: This classification requires functioning as a lead worker performing essentially the same work as those directed, and includes overseeing work quality, training, instruction, and scheduling work. Work may require the occasional direction of helpers, assistants, seasonal employees, interns or temporary employees.
Supervision Received: Receives General Direction: This classification normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. Performance reviewed periodically.
Other Requirements Competencies Required:
Human Collaboration Skills: Communications are highly sophisticated and involve final decisions or recommendations regarding policy development and implementation. Interactions with others outside the organization requires exercising participative management skills that support team efforts and quality processes.
Reading: Advanced - Ability to read literature, books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents. Ordinarily, such education is obtained at the college level or above. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.
Math: Basic - Ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations. Ordinarily, such education is obtained in elementary school up to high school. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.
Writing: Intermediate - Ability to deal with system of real numbers; practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement. Ordinarily, such education is obtained in high school up to college. However, it may be obtained from experience and self-study.
Fiscal Responsibility: This classification has no budgetary or fiscal responsibility.
Physical Demands: Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.
Machines,Tools,Equipment, andWorkAids:Computer, printer, copier, telephone, and standard office equipment.
Pay rate: $24.02-$28.84/hour (depending upon experience)
Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Length- 6 months with possible extension