Deputy Court Clerk - Battle Creek, United States - County of Calhoun, MI

Description

Salary: $ $22.51 Hourly

Location : Battle Creek, MI

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number:

Department: District Court

Opening Date: 04/29/2024

Bargaining Unit: TPOAM-DISTRICT

Job Summary

Under the supervision of a Clerical Services Supervisor/Manager (Civil, Traffic, Criminal, Probation, Warrant) or Accounting Manager (Counter, Accounts Receivable). Performs a variety of complex clerical tasks involved in processing civil, criminal and traffic and collection cases. Provides information and assistance to law enforcement officers, attorneys, defendants, and court patrons. Substitutes for other court staff and provides general clerical assistance to the Judges and administrative staff. Deputy District Court Clerks will be required to perform work in one or more of the following areas of the court: civil, criminal, traffic, probation, scheduling, warrant, counter, accounts receivable or other areas as individually assigned.

Calhoun County is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workplace that provides an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all employees and the public it serves.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Civil:

• Opens, processes, and closes general civil, small claims and summary proceedings cases.
• Records and processes complaints and pleadings, distributes and files civil documents, enters case information into the computer, coordinates service of process, prepares legal documents, and enters defaults, orders, and judgements.
• Receives, receipts and records fees and other monies. Notifies appropriate staff to issue
• refunds or distribute monies in accordance with court orders.
• Operates a computer terminal to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.
• Documents case activity and other pertinent case information on court documents and in the computer; maintains case histories on each case.
• Provides information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, defendants, court patrons and agencies about court policies and procedures, case status, scheduling of court proceedings and civil proceedings in general.
• Schedules court proceedings and issues proper notices to the appropriate parties.
• Processes garnishments and other post-judgement matters. Issues writs of garnishments and coordinates service of process.
• Assists defendants, attorneys, and members of the public concerning case file, status,
• disposition, and proceedings in general. Explain local court procedures and possible results of various alternative courses of action.
• Opens and processes a wide variety of civil matters including general civil, small claims, tenancy cases and garnishments. Includes typing necessary forms, filing papers, collecting various fees.
• Processes garnishments, includes receiving and disbursing monies.
• Operates a personal computer, calculator, and/or other office machines.
• Closes and rings out the registers when assigned the counter.
• Makes corrections necessary to ensure proper accountability of monies received.

Traffic:

• Receives, records, and codes traffic citations from area law enforcement agencies.
• Verifies defendants' driving records, prepares case file and enters case information into the computer.
• Closes cases following dispositions.
• Receives, receipts and records fines, costs, bonds and other monies. Notifies appropriate staff to refund, forfeit and/or apply bond money to pay fines, costs and other assessments.
• Operates a computer to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.
• Provides information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, defendants, court patrons and agencies about court policies and procedures, rights and options, case status, scheduling of court proceedings and traffic proceedings in general.
• Schedules civil infraction informal hearings and issues notification to the appropriate
• parties.
• Monitors case files and initiates enforcement action on overdue citations. Prepares and issues default judgements, bond forfeiture notices, and notices and orders of license suspensions approved by the court.
• Audits computer generated abstracts of conviction to ensure accuracy and submits abstracts to the Michigan Secretary of State.
• Provides counter back up for traffic patrons when necessary.

Criminal:

• Receives criminal complaints and related documents, opens case files, enters case information into the computer, and files case documents.
• Receives, receipts and records bonds, fines, costs, and other payments.
• Operates a computer terminal to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.
• Ensures that case files are ready and available for scheduled court proceedings. Checks in defendants, attorneys and others.
• Documents case activity and other pertinent case information on court documents and in the computer; maintains case history on each case.
• Distributes and recalls search and arrest warrants as authorized.
• Provides information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, defendants, court patrons and agencies about court policies and procedures, case status, scheduling of court proceedings and criminal proceedings in general.
• Prepares and distributes jail commitments and other legal documents.
• Provides counter back up for criminal patrons when necessary.

Probation:

• Serves as departmental receptionist, greeting and screening visitors, answering telephones, routing calls and responding to questions as appropriate and directing individuals to the appropriate party as necessary.
• Screens and routes mail; maintains records on department activities.
• Prepares and types probation orders, types presentence reports, activity reports, correspondence, and other legal documents from longhand drafts; enters case activity into the computer system.
• Uses a computer terminal to enter court ordered restricted drivers license and revocations into court records and to update the Secretary of State driver license records.
• Assists in administering screening and assessment tests. Assists probationers with completion of forms, provides explanations and directions along with case data information.
• Prepares case binders and ledger cards to account for payment of fines, costs and fees.
• Schedules sentencing dates with the judges, probation officers and attorneys. Contacts jail personnel, attorneys, and police agencies to recall bench warrants, bonds, etc.
• Exhibits ability to interact effectively with all constituent groups as a member of an operational team; including but not limited to co-workers, court staff, public, law enforcement, defense attorneys, prosecutors.

Scheduling:

• Prints, verifies, copies and distributes daily schedules.
• Types and mails pretrial, trial, preliminary examination and other notices.
• Enters and verifies case information on the computer system.
• Prepares files for arraignments; types necessary documents and forms.
• Prepares traffic case files; pulls and refiles cases files as necessary.

Warrant:

• Receives criminal complaints and related documents, opens case files, enters case information into the computer.
• Operates a computer terminal to enter, update, correct and access case information; and to produce computer generated forms.
• Schedules court proceedings for early and late arraignments.
• Receives warrant authorizations and enters bench and arrest warrants, conditional bonds, and probation conditions into the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN).
• Recalls warrants from the LEIN. Cancels all walk-in warrants from the LEIN.
• Maintains and monitors warrant, PA 53 conditional bond, and probation conditions files.
• Provides information to court staff, law enforcement agencies and defendants about warrant issuance and recall policies and procedures, conditional bonds, status of warrants, conditional bonds, probation conditions, and other related matters.
• Pulls warrants for case files and ensures files are available and ready for scheduled court proceedings.
• Receives, processes and files all confirmation of entry, cancellations and modification of warrants, conditional bonds, and probation conditions.
• Performs second party checks of all LEIN entries.
• Validates records monthly.

Counter:

• Assists defendants, attorneys, and members of the public concerning case file, status, disposition, and proceedings in general. Explain local court procedures and possible results of various alternative courses of action.
• Receipts and records bail bonds.
• Receipt payments for fine and costs, filing fees, tickets, etc..
• Take not guilty pleas, process appeal and motion forms, prepare marriage licenses.
• Processes forfeitures and conversions.
• Operates a personal computer, calculator, and/or other office machines.
• Closes and rings out the registers daily.
• Makes corrections necessary to ensure proper accountability of monies received.
• May perform clerical support functions.

Qualifications

• High School graduation or equivalent
• One year of general office experience, preferably in a district court or closely related setting
• A high level of confidentiality
• Excellent interpersonal communication, organizational and computer information systems skills
• ** Collections experience desired.

Calhoun County's benefits package offers flexibility, choice, and value. It is an attractive component of our employees total compensation package. At Calhoun County, we know that good benefit plans are important to employees and their families. We're committed to providing employees with access to a wide range of information and tools so they can stay informed and make the most of their Calhoun County flexible benefit package.

What benefits does Calhoun County offer its full time employees?

Medical: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan with 3 Different Flexible Benefit Plan Options
Dental: 100% Employer Paid through Delta Dental
Vision: 100% Employer Paid through BCBSM Vision Services Plan (VSP)
Employee Health & Wellness Center (Premise Health): Most Services 100% Employer Paid
Life Insurance: 100% Employer Paid for Basic Life & AD&D
Short Term Disability: 100% Employer Paid for 67% Wage Loss Benefits up to 26 Weeks
Retirement: Employer 401(k) Match Program Up to 7% of Employee Contribution
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 100% Employer Paid Through Bronson HelpNet

Flexible Scheduling & Telecommuting Options Depending on Position & Department
Paid Time Off:

• Start through fourth years - 168 Hours (4.2 weeks based on 40-hour work week)
• Fifth through ninth years - 208 Hours (5.2 weeks)
• Tenth through fourteenth years - 248 Hours (6.2 weeks)
• Fifteen and Subsequent years - 288 Hours (7.2 weeks)

(amounts & distribution may vary slightly by union contract, policy, and/or defined work week)

Paid Holidays: 14 Paid Holidays Throughout the Year
Additional Voluntary Benefits:

• Term Life Insurance (above Employer Paid Plan)
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Long Term Disability Wage Loss Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Employee Wellness Program
• Perks Program (discounts at local merchants for being a County employee)