Court Clerk
A Court Clerk, also known as a deputy clerk or judicial clerk, plays an essential role in the functioning of local, state, and federal courts by performing a variety of administrative and clerical tasks. They serve as the primary point of contact for the public, handling inquiries related to court scheduling, fees, and legal procedures. Their responsibilities include preparing dockets, coordinating schedules with witnesses and lawyers, processing licensing applications, and documenting court proceedings. Court clerks typically work in courtrooms or administrative offices and usually maintain a standard 40-hour work week.
This profession is well-suited for individuals who are detail-oriented, organized, and possess strong problem-solving skills. Entry into this career typically requires at least an associate's degree, often in fields such as paralegal studies or criminal justice, but relevant work experience can also be gained through internships. The job environment can be demanding, as court clerks must maintain professionalism while navigating interactions with various stakeholders, including judges, attorneys, and the public. The median annual earnings for court clerks are approximately $48,760, with job growth projected to be faster than average.
Court Clerk
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Government & Public Administration
Interests: Legal system, clerical work, written communication
Earnings (Yearly Median): $48,760 per year $23.44 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 6% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Court clerks, also referred to as deputy clerks, judicial clerks, or circuit court clerks, perform a wide variety of administrative, public safety, custodial, and other duties for local, state, and federal courts. Court clerks function as the point of contact for the general public and, as such, respond to inquiries about court scheduling, fees, forms, and procedures. Court clerks bring their clerical skills, customer service experience, and knowledge of the legal system and government operations to their work. Examples of court clerk tasks and roles include preparing dockets of upcoming court cases; contacting witnesses, litigants, and lawyers to plan court schedules and appearances; locating information and data for lawyers, judges, and the court; responding to court-related inquiries; processing licensing applications; and collecting court-related fees.
Work Environment. Court clerks spend their workdays within local, state, and federal court systems, municipalities, and governmental licensing agencies. Court clerks work in administrative offices, courtrooms, and in customer service capacities. Court clerks generally work forty-hour weeks or more.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the court clerk profession tend to be intelligent and detail-oriented people. Successful court clerks are tactful, well organized, resourceful, problem solvers, efficient, and possess excellent time management skills. Court clerks should find satisfaction in and excel at clerical work, customer service, and working within the legal system.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The daily activity of the court depends on the efforts of an efficient court clerk. They must have excellent organizational skills to ensure that legal proceedings go smoothly and that the process of working through the docket (the schedule of upcoming court cases) is seamless. Court clerks function as administrative assistants to the judge and in a supervisory role to court reporters. They coordinate planning, scheduling, preparation, and information sharing for the court and, in doing so, are responsible for communicating with lawyers, litigants, and witnesses.
A court clerk’s daily duties and responsibilities vary from state to state but generally include preparation of the docket; contacting witnesses, litigants, and lawyers to notify them about court schedule and appearance dates; responding to information requests from lawyers, jurors, litigants, and judges; and locating information and data for lawyers, judges, and the court. Other typical daily responsibilities are responding to court-related inquiries; preparing formal orders of the court, including probation documents, release documents, sentencing documents, or summonses; administering oaths to witnesses in court; overseeing the jury selection process; documenting all legal transcripts prepared by court reporters; and maintaining fiscal records of the court’s administrative expenses. Court clerks also record trial verdicts and findings, collect and document legal fees, verify rulings with the presiding judge in each case, and forward important information to parole boards and correctional institutions.
In addition to the range of responsibilities described above, all court clerks are responsible for educating the general public on court-related issues such as proper judicial procedure, summonses, warrants, adjournments, fines, affidavits, and witness fees.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Court clerks work in courtrooms and the administrative offices of local, state, and federal court systems, municipalities, and governmental licensing agencies. As this is a government position, different municipalities or government offices can be in various states of repair. For those systems with limited funding, office conditions may vary, and equipment may not be state of the art. Any court employee may be required to pass through security checkpoints or metal detectors to enter the courtroom.
Human Environment. Court clerks work with a wide variety of people and should be comfortable interacting with the general public, court reporters, court administrators, police and public safety, litigants, incarcerated people, lawyers, judges, witnesses, and juries. As members of the court, they may also face tense, uncomfortable, or hostile encounters within the courtroom or in the course of other interactions. The court clerk must maintain their composure to effectively communicate with those vested in the process, remembering their key role in the justice system. Court clerks also exchange information with other government officials during the course of their day, such as people who work for parole boards or correctional institutions.
Technological Environment. Court clerks use computers, scheduling software, Internet communication technology, photocopiers, and printers to perform their job duties. Again, technology will be dependent on departmental funding. Court clerks, because of their public position, should be wary of what they post on the Internet and social media in a personal capacity.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a court clerk should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. High-school-level study of typing, bookkeeping, foreign languages, political science, and public safety will provide a strong foundation for work as a court clerk or college-level work in the field. Due to the diversity of court clerk responsibilities, high school students interested in this career path will benefit from seeking internships or part-time work that exposes them to the legal system.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming court clerks should work towards an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, criminal justice, or court administration. Coursework in bookkeeping, business, and foreign languages may also prove useful in future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment within the legal system.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Information Clerks.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/information-clerks.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, 43-4031, Court Municipal, and License Clerks." Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes434031.htm. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.