Municipal Court Clerk

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Municipal Court Administrator, the Municipal Court Clerk provides critical clerical and administrative support to ensure the efficient operation of the Municipal Court of Mableton. This position is responsible for processing and coordinating court cases while serving as a key point of contact for the municipal judge, clerk of court, prosecutor, public defender, attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and members of the public. The Municipal Court Clerk ensures the accurate execution of court orders, directives, and policies in accordance with established laws, rules, and procedures. The role requires a high level of independence, sound judgment, and strict confidentiality, particularly when handling sensitive court documents and police records related to ongoing cases and specialized court activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following list of duties and responsibilities are intended to illustrate the primary functions of the position and are not intended to be all-inclusive:

• Maintains the court docket, including scheduling of court dates.

• Notifies all officers of required court dates/dockets.

• Informs defendants, witnesses, and attorneys of court dates and provides routine information to the public.

• Processes citations for payment of fines, including entry of citations into case management system, retrieving and reporting of drivers’ or criminal histories, preparing documents for police department and court processing.

• Monitors National and State crime information systems (GCIC/NCIC) and performs data inquiries on driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, criminal histories, and outstanding warrants related to Municipal Court Cases. Works in coordination with Police Terminal Agency Coordinator for GCIC information system, including training and security.

• Prepares courtroom for the judge, solicitor, public defender, court personnel, and the public prior to each court session.

• Obtains certified prior convictions.

• Assist the Judge of the Municipal Court of Mableton during court proceedings.

• Oversee all court proceedings (arraignments/trials/bond hearings/probation revocations).

• Obtains defendant’s plea, rescheduling and transferring cases, preparing necessary paperwork for diversion programs, documenting sentences as directed by the judge for probation or fine payment, and scheduling court dates for arraignments, motions and trials, and coordinating with officers’ schedules.

• Prepare orders required for sentencing and release.

• Reports disposition of citations to the Department of Driver Services and Georgia Crime Information Center.

• Processes motions filed by attorneys on cases.

• Processes failure to appear cases and generates correspondence necessary to notify offenders of case status.

• Create, prepare, and issue court forms to include warrants, letters, and other correspondence.

• Assist the public with questions and concerns with required research, retrieving case information in accordance with court policies and procedures.

• Attend Institute of Continuing Judicial Education (ICJE) annual training and/or recertification training.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with the overall purpose and responsibilities of the position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not preclude the assignment of tasks that are similar in nature, logically associated with this role, or necessary for the effective functioning of the Municipal Court. Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as the Municipal Court Clerk may be required to support a wide range of administrative and operational needs as they arise.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent

• Minimum of two (2) professional office, clerical, or administrative support experience required; prior experience in a legal or court environment is highly preferred.

• Familiarity with legal terminology and court procedures is strongly desired.

• Must possess a satisfactory criminal history and meet all requirements for secure access to law enforcement databases.

• Must be eligible for access to Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) systems.

• Must be available to work a full-time schedule (40 hours per week), including court sessions as scheduled. May work an adjusted schedule for assisting in events occurring after 4:30 p.m. such as meetings or planned events.

• Ability to obtain GCIC Certification within 30 days of hire.

• Ability to obtain Notary Public Commission within 30 days of hire.

• Ability to attain Certified Court Clerk designation upon successful completion of the working test period.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of general office practices and procedures, including proficiency in business English, grammar, and arithmetic.

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the ability to quickly learn and operate court-specific software systems.

• Commitment to continuous learning and skill development through participation in relevant conferences, training workshops, and seminars.

• Ability to perform moderately complex mathematical computations with speed, accuracy, and attention to detail.

• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, court staff, and the general public in a professional and courteous manner.

• Knowledge of and ability to comply with Open Records laws and strict adherence to confidentiality standards in all Municipal Court matters.

• Strong ability to comprehend, interpret, and follow both oral and written instructions accurately.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a closely related field.

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is highly desirable and considered a strong asset in serving the community