Deputy District Court Clerk I or II

at  Eaton County

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Chief Deputy Court Clerk the incumbent performs a variety of complex tasks involved in the processing of traffic, civil and/or criminal cases. Provides counter service, receives and receipts money and provides assistance on court matters to attorneys, law enforcement officers and the public. Prepares a variety of court documents and enters case information into court database. May provide backup as court recorder.
Starting pay is dependent on an applicant’s relevant experience and the position level they are offered.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school graduation or its equivalent. Prefer some coursework in data processing and basic bookkeeping.
Experience: One year of previous clerical experience in a court or related legal setting preferred.Other Requirements: Ability to be certified as an Electronic Court Recorder by the Michigan Supreme Court within 18 months of employment to be considered as a Deputy Clerk II.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt.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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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. 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 cash register.
• Ability to operate copying machine.
• Ability to enter and access information to the computer.
• Ability to operate electronic recording equipment.
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods of sitting while entering data to the computer.
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods of standing while assisting people at the counter.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides counter and telephone assistance to attorneys and the public regarding filing of papers, fees, fines and costs, court procedures, schedules, and specific case information. May be assigned to the Criminal/Traffic Division or the Civil Division.
• Prints and mails computer-generated notices.
• Generate Magistrate and Judges Dockets.
• Processes mail which includes filing documents such as appearances, adjournments, motions, orders and briefs to appropriate file and entering case information to computer.
• Types correspondence, notices, orders and legal documents and performs a variety of support tasks such as copying records and filing tickets and other documents.
• Assists and backs up other court staff including the Bookkeeper, Cashier and Probation Secretary as needed.

• Serve as backup for electronic court recording as required.
  Specific responsibilities vary based on the division to which the incumbent is assigned:

  Criminal /Traffic Division:

• Opens criminal case files, includes assigning case number and filing formal complaint or appearance ticket, checking cash bonds, ensuring fingerprints are in file, and obtaining driving or criminal record as necessary. Type’s information to register of action and enter on computer

• Checks in defendants for court, prepares bond forms for signature, files fingerprints, and matches bond with warrant and complaints.
• Enters case file information, adjournments, dispositions, civil judgments and other information to computer system.
• Sends notices and Suspends driver licenses as authorized. Prepares, issues and recalls bench warrants as needed. Notifies agency issuing warrant after defendant appears.
• As ordered by a Judge, prints bench warrants and bond forfeitures and issues to police agency after signature of Judge.
• Types a variety of documents including bonds, orders for pre-trial releases, recalls, certificates of conviction and related documents.
• Closes files by entering disposition to computer and running register of actions, commitments and other necessary documentation. Reviews information on paid tickets and ensures that it coincides with abstract of conviction prior to submission to the Secretary of State.
• Closes criminal cases by collecting fines and costs, distributing disposition as appropriate, submitting abstract of conviction to Secretary of State on driving offenses, and preparing a register of action.
• Responsible for application to set aside conviction and motion for destruction of fingerprints.
• Forfeits bonds after 28 days of notice to defendant. Returns bond money to defendant and third party poster, forward restitution payments and maintain log on payments sent. Types checks and makes computer entries.
• Takes oath from officers or victims on misdemeanor charges and has complaint signed.

Civil Division:

• Opens and processes a variety of civil matters including general civil, small claims, landlord/tenant cases and garnishments. Includes typing forms, correspondence and legal documents, filing papers, collecting fees, and ensuring case scheduling and the service of process.
• Reviews legal documents such as writs of garnishments, writs of restitution, orders, dismissals and others and ensures timeliness, completeness and compliance with the court rules.
• Processes garnishments, includes receiving, balancing and disbursing monies and helping employers compute calculation sheets.
• Maintains case histories for civil cases and closes cases by recording disposition in case file and in applicable database(s). Notifies parties of disposition and files closed cases.
• Reviews court files to determine readiness for hearings, trials, default judgements, dismissals and other court proceedings; includes checking for service and completeness of documentation.
• Generate monthly reports including no service, no progress and dismiss, mail or otherwise complete.

Other Functions:

• Retrieves records from storage areas.

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.

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. 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 cash register.
• Ability to operate copying machine.
• Ability to enter and access information to the computer.
• Ability to operate electronic recording equipment.
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods of sitting while entering data to the computer.
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods of standing while assisting people at the counter