About This Role
Supporting the Municipal Court Clerk/Magistrate in the administrative and operational tasks of the Municipal Court office is the core of this specialized and complex role. The work involves handling court case files, issuing warrants, accepting pleas, setting bail, and managing court funds, and is reviewed for legal conformity by the Court Clerk/Magistrate.
Responsibilities
- Handle municipal court case files, assign case numbers, and manage all associated paperwork
- Take sworn affidavits, issue arrest warrants, and record and file warrants for municipal ordinance violations
- Accept guilty pleas in minor misdemeanor cases with prescribed fine schedules, intake uniform traffic citations, and accept payment for guilty pleas
- Grant and set bail in minor misdemeanor prosecutions according to a discretionary bail schedule, and authorize the release of defendants on personal recognizance
- Accept, receipt, and account for all monies passing through the municipal court system and the Court Clerk/Magistrate's office
- Answer phones and respond to public requests for information
- Assist in preparing court dockets for all municipal court sessions
- Attend and assist in municipal court sessions as needed
Requirements
- Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, equipment, and multi-line phones
- Skilled in the operation of computers and applicable software
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
- Demonstrate ability to deliver exceptional customer service to the general public of all backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on professionalism, empathy, and responsiveness
- Ability to learn and apply municipal court procedures and rules relevant to the area of assignment
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with supervisor, co-workers, City Judge, City Attorney, general public, and those in contact in the course of work
- Ability to attend off-site training classes and professional meetings as required
- Ability to be "on-call" for after-hour hearings
- Graduation from an accredited high school or G.E.D. equivalent
- Valid Alabama driver's license with a driving record suitable for insurability
Nice to have:
- State of Alabama certified magistrate as designated by the Alabama Office of Courts, or ability to obtain certification within a designated period
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit for extended periods of time (e.g., 6-8 hours per day)
- Ability to stand frequently
- Ability to climb, bend, kneel, squat, twist, reach, grasp, handle, push, pull, and lift or carry 10-20lbs occasionally
