The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in courtroom clerk roles:

• Prepare dockets—schedules—for courtroom sessions
• Inform all required parties—lawyers, judges, and witnesses—of applicable schedules
• Collect, maintain, and distribute courtroom documents to required parties
• Collect fines or other documentation from individuals whose cases are being reviewed or closed

A Day in the Life

Courtroom clerks prepare, maintain, and distribute all documents and records for cases held in the courts they work for. One of their major responsibilities is creating courtroom dockets—the schedules of cases to be held in the courtroom—months in advance. They also alter the docket when necessary and inform all impacted individuals—lawyers, judges, witnesses, plaintiffs, and defendants—of original and revised schedules for courtroom appearances.

In addition to creating and maintaining the docket, courtroom clerks also collect, file, and distribute courtroom documentation. For example, in the case of a closed divorce hearing, the courtroom clerk distributes the results of the hearing to lawyers and the city clerk—the lawyer distributes the files to his/her client(s), and the city clerk updates his/her records pertaining to the marriage.

Courtroom clerks may also assist lawyers and members of the public with questions and transactions. They may answer the phone for the courtroom, collect fees when owed for vehicle citations or court costs, and assist courtroom participants with questions or issues. They work with multiple groups of individuals, so they must be good with people, and they also must be highly organized and attentive to detail to ensure proper record-keeping and record distribution.

Typical Work Schedule

Most courtroom clerk positions are full-time and performed during normal business hours. Courtroom clerks are generally off on weekends and all major holidays.

Typical Employers

Courtroom clerks are employed by the government and may work for district, state, or federal courts.