DEPUTY COURT CLERK II

Deputy Clerk II District Court

Job Description:
The incumbent under the direction of the Court Clerk and the Chief Deputy Clerk rotates among various assigned tasks and positions within the department. The incumbent processes arrests/citations and records initial complaints to build criminal case files and prepares court dockets. Utilizes ACIC/NCIC records to determine eligibility for deferred adjudication and for the Court’s consideration in sentencing. Interprets and records pleadings and motions. Schedules cases on Court dockets for hearing, creates and distributes dockets, related notices, summons and warrants. Records oral judgments of the Court, interprets records for the Court and other agencies and may be required to testify as to that information under oath in Open Court. Monitors compliance of judgments and court orders. Enforces payment of fines/costs and judgment terms imposed by the Court by issuing warrants for non-compliance; scheduling payment plans, community service work, or wage assignments. Manages court calendars, jail population and requests for information from the Court. Processes appeals and expungement of the Court’s records according to State Statute. Receipt and process for distribution all fees, judgment payments, bonds and forfeitures. Extensive public contact, providing direction and information on status of outstanding warrants, acceptance of pleas, entry of appearance and scheduling cases on the Court’s docket for trial as well as dispositioning cases. Report convictions and sentences to state and federal agencies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Note: all City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees, supervisors and the public at all times.

Extensive data entry. Receive and inspect incoming arrests, citations and filings. Accurately record arrest bookings, citations, service of warrants to build case files in the Court’s case management system. Accurately record status of level of compliance/completion for consideration in future hearings, appeals or civil proceedings.

Record entry of appearance, documentation as required by the Court’s policies and perform initial preparation of notices of appeals of convictions to the Circuit Court. Review Court records and make accurate and timely reports of convictions and sentences to the Arkansas Crime Information system, Arkansas Supreme Court and Department of Driver Services.

Utilize ACIC/NCIC prepare review of driver history records for court sessions to be utilized in sentencing of defendants. Review these records, court history records and national criminal history records to determine eligibility according to the Court’s policies of defendants for deferred adjudication, suspension of fines/costs, or dismissal of certain charges based upon information gathered.

• Monitor payment/work compliance, grant or deny extensions in accordance with Court’s policies; enforce court orders through issuance of warrants.

• Clerk court sessions, reviewing and interpreting records, written and computerized, of the District Court, law enforcement agencies, Circuit Court, criminal and driving history records and testifying to that information under oath in Open Court, providing information used by the parties in presenting their cases and by the Judges in determination of sentencing. Interpret and record in computer system the judgments and actions taken in open court; preparing and distributing those actions for enforcement.

• Identify, inspect, interpret and record civil and criminal complaints, charging instruments, affidavits, motions, pleadings, orders and judgments onto computerized records in compliance with Arkansas Statutes and court policies. Issue notices, subpoenas, and orders as required in varying progression of cases through the criminal justice system. Coordinate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public defender, pro se litigants, and private attorneys in development and maintenance of the court’s case management system, manage court calendar for scheduling of court sessions. Schedule cases on appropriate court dockets, including monitoring of cases for compliance with state law as to speedy trial and other legal requirements. Answer pleading and general correspondence for the associated division.

• Review payment history and compliance with the Court’s orders and direct issuance of warrants of arrest and civil writs for enforcement; allow non-standard alternative service and payment plans and/or extensions for compliance in individual cases.

• Receive and process requests for expungement or seal of the Court’s records; perform criminal history and driver record reviews utilizing ACIS and NCIC. Inspect and process incoming notices of appeals; certify bond status, prepare accurate transcript of proceedings, submission of exhibits and transfer of cases to Circuit Court.

• Receipt fees, judgment payments, and bonds; process for correct distribution.

• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. is required.
• Paralegal or legal assistant certification, and/or two (2) years’ court experience is preferred.
• Must have rudimentary knowledge of Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure, Arkansas Inferior Court Rules, Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure, legal terminology and established practices of the legal system.
• Substantial data-entry and receptionist or telephone operator experience and the ability to handle money accurately are necessary.

Other Skills and Abilities:
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk and hear. Occasionally sit; use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance and peripheral vision. The ability to adjust focus is also required.

The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Code : 20240051-1

Grade : GRADE 37

Posting Start : 03/26/2024

Posting End : 04/01/2024

MINIMUM HOURLY RATE: $18.55