At PracticalAdultInsights, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
How Do I Become a County Court Clerk?
County court clerks are important to the day to day activities of the county court room. Typically, county court clerks are responsible for handling the majority of the court's administrative activities. To become a county court clerk, a high school degree is typically the minimal amount of education required. County court clerks commonly have an interest in legal affairs, are accurate typists, good at multi-tasking, and enjoy customer service.
Strong administrative skills are essential for being a county court clerk. Some common duties a clerk may perform include processing legal documents, scheduling appointments, filing public records, and setting up court hearings. Other common tasks often include collecting court fees, authenticating court documents, and issuing legal licenses, such as marriage and business licenses. A county court clerk may also transcribe the minutes of proceedings and prepare the docket of scheduled cases.
The educational requirements needed to become a county court clerk vary. A high school diploma is commonly the least amount of acceptable education, while some positions may require an associate's degree or higher. Prior work experience in areas such as business, legal, or criminal justice are often recommended. Additionally, the individual will typically need to be familiar with the rules and regulations of the county court.
A county court clerk will typically use many different office machines, such as a computer, typewriter, multi-line phone system, and fax machine. Interpersonal skills are also important to become a county court clerk. Having discretion, being a good decision maker, and self-reliance are some important skills to have. Additionally, being a county court clerk involves providing customer service, as the clerk will commonly will interact with the public on a regular basis.
Jury lists may be composed by a county court clerk, and notifications of jury duty may be processed and mailed by the clerk. The jurors or individuals appearing to testify may also be sworn in by the clerk of the county. In many cases, a clerk of the county will work with attorneys to obtain and provide information on many matters, including filing lawsuits.
Advancement is possible in this field, although an individual's ability to advance will likely depend a great deal on experience, background, and the level of education. A clerk of a county court may have aspirations to move up the ranks into a larger court setting. Additionally, working as a county clerk may present opportunities to branch into other genres of the legal system.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![A county clerk must maintain meticulous files so that records are easy to locate at later dates.]()
By: Steve MorvayA county clerk must maintain meticulous files so that records are easy to locate at later dates. -
![One duty of a county court clerk is to swear in people who will testify.]()
By: Stephen CoburnOne duty of a county court clerk is to swear in people who will testify. -
![Jury lists and juror notifications may be processed by the county clerk.]()
By: traceyhwrightJury lists and juror notifications may be processed by the county clerk.
Discussion Comments
I have always thought that in order to apply to be a county court clerk you had to have a college degree. In a large city it is very hard to obtain a job such as this and I would imagine that if someone were to apply with only a high school degree they would likely not be considered for the job.
I do imagine that in rural areas that it would be easier to become a county court clerk and they would not just turn away people who only have high school degrees.
Even though it may be harder for someone with only a high school diploma to successfully obtain one of these jobs in a large city it cannot hurt to try.
I knew someone in college who was a county court clerk. Although he was very young, he was given this very important position and now has five years experience. Considering that most counties only require a high school diploma to apply for this job it is possible for nearly anyone of age to apply for this job.
Even though this job includes a lot of clerical work it really is an important job and if someone can be hired early on it is a good job to hold on to for a long time. Someone with a job such as this is an important member of society and can take pride in having a job with as much importance as it has.
@Emilski - That is an excellent point Emilski. The judicial system way back in time was a very corrupt institution and considering that the court clerks are the people that authenticate court records one can easily research the honesty of the courts through the county clerks.
Since court records are very easy to obtain anyone can go to the local county courthouse and research the past clerks. If someone lives in a city like Chicago, which has an infamous reputation for corruption in the courts, it becomes a very interesting research project for someone who may be looking to write a history research paper.
As a history major I find it very interesting researching corruption in the courts. Back in the days of major corruption in the courts the county court clerk was very instrumental in the honesty or dishonesty of the courts.
Since the clerks were the people that had to authenticate the court documents in "full faith and credit" they could either choose to go along with a corrupt judge and sign off on his wrongdoing or could refuse to and do what they felt was right.
The judicial system prior to 1900 was for hundreds of years a corrupt enterprise and researching the tendencies of certain county clerks can really give an idea of how honest that particular court was in the past.
County court clerks are very important jobs. In some cases the court clerks are the only people that can authenticate court documents. This means that in a lot of cases they are the only people that can make a court document legal through their authentication. For anyone looking to get a job as a County court clerk they have to be prepared to take on the very large responsibilities involved with a seemingly low level position in the courts.
Post your comments