Clerks are needed in all sectors, including the legal field. Courts have clerks who provide essential management and administrative support to judges, lawyers, and the general public, helping in the timely resolution and follow-up of criminal and civil cases. They are judiciary employees, meaning the judicial service commission usually dictates their conduct and remunerations.
Our article seeks to answer several questions about this position if you are interested in becoming a court clerk. We will look at the roles and responsibilities of these judiciary employees and the thresholds you will have to meet. Also, remember to look at our resume example and the FAQ section for an interview-worthy resume. Join us as we find out more about court clerks.
Court Clerk Job Description
Court clerks are administrative professionals charged with several clerical and administrative duties. They conduct or oversee filing, faxing, email management, and data processing in the court setting- activities essential in the smooth operations of courts.
A court clerk must have exceptional written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and multitasking skills to successfully execute their tasks. One must also be familiar with all court processes and proceedings.
Court Clerk Roles and Responsibilities
- Ensuring the smooth and effective running of all court activities
- Performing basic bookkeeping activities within the court settings
- Administering oaths and affirmations to witnesses and the accused
- Ensuring that all submissions, i.e., legal documents and reports adhere to legal requirements and the court procedures
- Collecting court fines and maintaining proper documentation of the amount collected
- Preparing cause lists detailing cases and submissions yet to be heard by the judge or magistrate
- Ensuring that all court files and records are accessible and up to date
- Recording and filing accurate minutes of both court meetings and procedures
- Receiving incoming phone calls and redirecting them to the right recipients
- Taking and documenting messages
- Preparing and distributing different correspondences, including sentencing information, court orders, probation orders, and summons
- Participating in all office management and administrative processes
- Answering questions from the general public regarding issues such as court appearances, trial dates, witness fees, judicial procedures, fine payments, warrants, etc.
- Documenting the outcomes of court proceedings and making them public
- Informing parties about court appearances timings
- Clarifying court procedures and forms to enhance the understanding of parties and the general public
- Amending indictments where necessary
- Reading charges and other relevant information to the court and recording defendants’ pleas on instruction by the magistrate
- Supervising and directing junior/ support staff regarding relevant paperwork
- Preparing and marking all the court evidence and exhibits
- Opening and calling courts to order before announcing judges
- Coordinating different court functions in liaison with lawyers, police officers, judges, parole officers, and social agency officers through regular meetings
- Ensuring that all court equipment are well maintained and in perfect condition
- Attending to daily tasks such as filing, sorting of incoming mails, faxing, and data processing
- Finding files and contacting case parties, i.e., litigants, witnesses, and attorneys, to pass court information
- Preparing detailed staff schedules
Court Clerk Required Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Program, i.e., Excel, Word, Outlook
- Ability to operate and maintain different equipment, e.g., faxing machines and copiers
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Ability to multitask
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent data entry skills
- Attention to details
- Excellent research skills
- Computer literacy
- Time management skills
- Legal writing skills
- Customer service skills
- Scheduling skills
- Excellent litigation skills
- Ability to compose legal documents
- Excellent case management skills
Court Clerk Education and Experience
- Experience working as a court clerk or in a similar role
- Relevant certifications, e.g., certified public secretary or legal office manager
- A High School Diploma or its equivalent
- A Bachelor/ Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Political Science, English, or Business (recommended, not mandatory)
- Proven clerical/ office administration experience
- Experience operating different office administration equipment, e.g., photocopiers
Court Clerk Salary
Court clerks’ salaries differ depending on the state/ county. However, from different reputable online sources, these administrative officials earn between $37,000- $65,000 annually. Glassdoor estimates that the Alaska Court System pays its in-court clerks $63,000 annually, while in Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, clerks earn roughly $40,000, which shows the income disparity.
Court Clerk CV Example 1
Joseph Collins
Physical address: 833 Main Street, Wolfforth, Texas (TX), 73456
Email address: josephcollins78@gmail.com
Phone number: (720) 678-9807
Personal Profile
Certified court clerk and criminal justice expert with 10+ years of experience working in court settings and legal offices. Excellent written and verbal communicator with legal documentation and data entry skills ready to stabilize workflow and productivity. Self-motivated and hardworking team member with vast experience in office administration.
Work Experience
05/2019- 08/2022, Court Clerk, Texas Municipal Courts, Austin, TX
- Consistently met and exceeded annual goals set by the judge and the court administrator by 20%+
- Compiled, processed, and delivered 300+ monthly research requests
- Promptly achieved all the mandated deadlines, achieving the most diligent court clerk award in 2021
- Accurately processed fees and fines at the public counter for increased revenue growth and generation
- Filed and fed legal documents in the court’s databases for improved stability in workflow
- Worked 45 hours a week, helping the presiding judge to dispense justice
- Cultivated excellent working relationships with team members for enhanced productivity and cohesiveness for the achievement of annual goals
- Processed and entered legal documents within the provided government timelines
- Swiftly processed temporary restraining orders reports, earning a commendation from the local sheriff
- Coordinated with 10+ outside vendors for easy retrieval of publicly filed documents and necessary items
- Reviewed court documents to ensure 100% compliance with rules and regulations before they were filed
- Answered questions from the public regarding 10+ issues, e.g., general court rules, procedures, and the court’s calendar
- Offered general office support and assistance, e.g., filing of documents
- Ensured that court documents were 100% updated by linking them to occurring/ existing events
- Trained 10+ junior employees on filing and back scanning processes
03/2016- 04/2019, Deputy Clerk, Austin Law Courts, TX
- Prepared the courtroom for case hearings and determination by distributing necessary equipment such as papers and pens
- Managed the presiding judge’s travel and accommodation preparations, ensuring her safety and comfort
- Electronically filed case pleadings with 99%+ accuracy daily
- Prepared and reviewed 50+ case files weekly
- Processed and reviewed all legal court files within the set deadlines and time standards
- Participated in the implementation of a new filing system for improved data entry and retrieval
- Liaised with the senior court clerks to create a new training system for 20+ new court clerks
- Received 60+ phone calls daily, answering diverse queries on court operations, timelines, and procedures
- Trained 10+ temporary staff members on case data entry and management
- Assisted with the bulk processing of files upon request
05/2011- 07/2015, Legal Administrative Assistant, Fisch & Aaron LLP, El Paso, Texas
- Successfully prepared and formatted 30+ legal and management reports daily
- Improved office operation by 10% by successfully generating new reference tools
- Liaised with 10+ organizations and agencies for information access
- Answered 35+ calls daily, offering general support and redirecting department-specific calls to the right recipients
- Completed, compiled, and processed 250+ monthly research requests
- Awarded the best administrative staff award in 2013 for exceptional customer service and exceeding set goals by 30%
Education
- 03/2008- 05/2010, Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, El Paso Community College, El Paso, Texas
- 03/2005- 05/2007, High School Diploma, Wolfforth College Preparatory School, Wolfforth, Texas
Skills
- Languages
- English
- Romanian
- Greek
Technical Skills
- Case management
- Data entry
- Legal documentation
- Scheduling
- Case management
- Criminal justice
- Litigation
- Record keeping
- Warrants drafting and issuance
- Computer literacy
- Research
Soft Skills
- Presentation
- Verbal and written communication
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Flexibility
- Excellent decision-making
- Interpersonal
- Mentoring
- Time management
- Creativity
Certifications
09/15, Certified Court Clerk II, Texas Municipal Courts Education Center
Court Clerk CV Example 2
Katharina Fischer
Physical address: 4560 Ridge Road, Jackson, Michigan, 46789
Email address: fischakatharina78@gmail.com
Phone number: (512) 304-8907
Personal Profile
Certified paralegal with 10+ years of experience. Excellent communicator with proven clerical and administrative office experience, ready to assist in swiftly processing and deciding cases. Avid team worker with excellent multitasking and legal documentation skills needed to thrive in the legal department.
Work Experience
05/2019- 08/2022, Judicial Executive Assistant, Jackson Law Courts, Jackson, Michigan
- Actively assisted with judicial filing processes, i.e., location and relocation of files and file vault management
- Monitored 50+ cases weekly and conducted thorough research on litigants to keep the court prepared
- Ensured high levels of confidentiality when handling court files, leading to 0 information leakage reports
- Attended 5+ training sessions annually on clerk operations and courtroom procedures for professional development and skill enhancement
- Improved the public’s understanding of new court processes by 30% by creating new forms and checklists
- Answered 50+ phone calls daily, offering information about violations, court procedures, and general court calendar
- Prepared and processed at least 25 warrants monthly
- Implemented a new filing system for easy accessibility and faster retrieval of files and documents
- Ensured all deadlines were met by following the set time standards for file processing and review
- Furnished the courtroom with the necessary equipment, including pens, papers, and drinking water
03/2016- 04/2016, Administrative Assistant, Burnt and Bartley Advocates, Sacramento, CA
- Kept the office’s database updated through the daily filing of electronic and hard copy documents
- Arranged cost-effective travel arrangements and itineraries for five office attorneys
- Implemented a new filing system which improved file access by 20%
- Coordinated the planning and arrangement of 5 annual events, such as the end-of-year party and the annual office marathon
- Prepared, filed, maintained, and updated legal documents using various computer software
- Offered litigation support in 20+ weekly cases
03/2011- 06/15, Paralegal, Rose & Wilmington LLP, San Diego, CA
- Assisted five office attorneys in all litigation phases
- Ensured that client emails were responded to within 24 hours for increased client satisfaction
- Successfully managed attorneys’ calendar, ensuring 0 clashes or incidences of missed court appearances
- Drafted 10+ legal documents daily, including motions, memorandums, and legal correspondence
- Trained seven junior paralegals on office procedures, policies, and work ethics for improved performance
Education
- 04/2008- 06/2010, Paralegal Certificate, John F. Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill, California
- 02/2005- 05/2007, High School Diploma, Jackson College Preparatory School, Jackson, Michigan
Skills
- Languages
- German
- English
- Polish
Technical Skills
- Record keeping
- Criminal Justice
- Litigation
- Legal document composition
- Warrants
- Data entry
- Scheduling
- Case management
- Legal documentation
- Microsoft Office Suite Programs
- Typing
Soft Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Presentation
- Flexibility
- Decision-making
- Active listening
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Creativity
- Problem- solving
- Ability to work well under pressure
Certifications
- 09/2019, Master of Court Security Certification, National Sheriffs’ Association
- 03/2019, Certified Municipal Clerk Certification, Michigan Municipal Courts Education Center
Court Clerk Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Resume?
It takes specific job-specific skills to thrive as a court clerk- a fact that hiring managers know and must ascertain before and during interviews. Therefore, your skill and work experience sections must have/ show job-specific skills. Common court clerk skills worth mentioning include excellent record-keeping, record maintenance, computer/ Information Technology, research, law enforcement, understanding of office procedures, Microsoft Office Suite Programs, data entry and retrieval, and excellent case management skills.
Other notable skills include an understanding of the criminal justice system, excellent litigation skills, legal documentation, warrants, excellent scheduling skills, and typing skills. If you are confused and wondering which among these skills must be included in your resume, look at the job posting and find what the hiring manager wants.
2. Which Certifications Can I Attain and Include in My Resume?
Staying competitive is mandatory in the job market. Some of the most common certifications you can pursue in that regard include:
- Certified Paralegal- This National Association of Legal Assistants certification is one of the most common paralegal certifications you can pursue. It examines analytical skills, reading comprehension, and writing skills. It has to be renewed after every five years.
- Advanced Paralegal Certification (APC)– The Advanced Paralegal Certification by the National Association of Legal Assistants is only available for those with Certified Paralegal accreditation. Like the previous one, it has to be renewed every five years.
- CORE Registered Paralegal- The Core Registered Paralegal Certification by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations validates the experience and education required for court clerks. It is only offered after passing the paralegal CORE competency exam.
- American Alliance Certified Paralegal (AACP)– This is another common certification offered by the American Alliance of Paralegals to those with at least five years of paralegal experience and a Bachelor of Associate’s degree from an American Board Association program.
Other certifications worth pursuing include Professional Legal Secretary/ Certified Legal Professional (PLS/CLP) certification, which covers office and legal documentation, office procedures, legal procedures, substantive law, document preparation, legal ethics, and legal ethics and authority; and Legal Document Assistant Certification focused on court filing procedures, ethical code of conduct, legal document preparation and legal material distribution.
3. Which Are Some of the Most Common Keywords in Court Clerk Resumes?
The hiring manager expects you to mention certain words, terminologies, tools, and skills in your resume to prove your understanding of the job listing. These are referred to as keywords; needed to get past applicant tracking software applications. Some of the most common are filing, trials, legal document preparation, government, legal research, litigation, criminal law, legal research, legal writing, civil litigation, criminal justice, data entry, civil litigation, legal advice, court proceedings, and public policy.
Additional keywords include court administration, legal advice, office administration, commercial litigation, legal editing, public speaking, data entry, administrative assistance, legal office automation, criminal law, community outreach, mediation, social media, family law, etc.
4. How Can I Become a Court Clerk?
There are five main steps to becoming a court clerk that you should know. First, obtain a high school diploma or GED, which is a basic academic qualification for all professional positions. Second, consider getting a Bachelor’s or Associates’s degree in a law-related field such as criminal justice or general fields such as human resources, business management, or business administration.
Third, apply for a court clerk certification to make you more qualified and competitive. Remember, credentials vary from state to state; therefore, determine your state certification requirements beforehand. Once you know what is required, submit your application via the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), which has certifications for different experience levels, i.e., Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC). You can also obtain paralegal certifications that we covered in FAQ no. 2.
Consider getting into a training program for clerks and learning about the required skills and competencies for court clerks. Lastly, apply for work as a court clerk, prepare for your interview, and pass. You can also take up a clerical position in law firms and other law enforcement settings to gain extensive experience. Another possible and viable option is applying for a deputy clerk position.
5. Which Transferable Skills Do I Need in My Resume?
Transferable skills are required in every job, regardless of the field or title. Some that apply to your court clerk resume include typing, writing, organization, verbal and written communication, attention to detail, computer literacy, Microsoft Office Suite Programs, Time management, and problem-solving skills.