Under general supervision, Court attendants provide courtroom support in selected courtrooms hearing non-criminal, non-delinquency actions, by performing limited security-related and clerical duties and serving as the court liaison for juries, witnesses, attorneys, and the public.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 69920 et seq., this class is non-armed, non-law enforcement personnel who perform functions specified by the court, except those functions that may only be performed by armed and sworn personnel. A Court Attendant is not a peace officer or a public safety officer. Court Attendants perform clerical work of average difficulty. This class differs from the Court Services Assistant (CSA) series in that it has limited security-related and jury responsibilities. In addition, the CSA class has responsibility for recording minutes of court proceedings and the care of exhibits and evidence. Court Attendants assist Courtroom Clerks with the performance of their more routine and less complex clerical duties.
Note: The following duties are performed by most incumbents, but other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.
Security-Related Support:
· Performs assigned security duties including screening the public as they enter Court facilities.
· Conducts search of courtroom and surrounding areas prior to morning and afternoon sessions to ensure courtroom security and observes people and activities in and around courtroom.
· Reports security violations or suspicious items to Sheriffs Control or other appropriate personnel using court issued security band radio, or uses alarm buttons for emergencies.
· Ensures jurors, spectators, witnesses and attorneys conform to standards of courtroom demeanor by informing them of appropriate standards.
· Contacts appropriate personnel or agency in the event of medical or emergency situations.
· Complies with evacuation plan in the event of an emergency and reports actions to Sheriffs Control.
· Monitors persons in the courtroom to prevent or stop disruptive activity.
Liaison:
· Instructs jury panel on appropriate courtroom decorum and monitors conformance.
· Prevents any conversation between jurors and the parties to the action while the case is in trial by observing and monitoring interactions of trial participants.
· Serves as liaison between attorneys, jurors, witnesses, litigants and parties to cases and the Judicial Officer and his/her court staff.
· Directs members of the media and the public to appropriate area or personnel.
· Responds to questions from the public in a courteous and service-oriented manner.
Clerical and Administrative Support:
· Locates, retrieves and assists in organizing materials in files.
· Accepts legal documents for filing under the direction of the courtroom clerk.
· Picks up and distributes mail.
· Answers telephones and assists the public.
· Operates office equipment including scanners, copiers and personal computers.
· Inventories and order supplies to ensure that adequate supplies are available for the Judicial Officer, Courtroom Clerk, jury and the courtroom.
· Cross-trains in other Courtrooms to be prepared to provide emergency coverage
· Assists Operating and Administration departments with other assigned tasks.
Any combination of education, experience or training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities. Typical ways to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Completion of major coursework in a criminal justice, legal, security, public relations or related curriculum from an accredited college, university, business or training school, or progressively responsible clerical, legal, security and/or public relations experience.
Knowledge of: Clerical and legal record keeping practices and procedures; office methods such as how to prepare correspondence, reports and statistical summaries of court activities; English grammar, spelling and punctuation; basic arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; legal terminology and legal process forms; court procedures; basic computer and office equipment operations including use of email, word processors and spreadsheets.
Ability to: Observe situations, identify when and how to react and determine appropriate courses of action without supervisor present; analyze jury and public requests and determine appropriate response; organize, prioritize and complete work assignments with minimal supervision and under time constraints including flexibility/adaptability to changing work assignments; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, attorneys, co-workers and the public including dealing with diverse people in a courteous and tactful manner; use good judgment and interpersonal skills to mediate and diffuse disputes in the courtroom; operate standard office equipment and personal computers. Office software (Email, Word Processing and Spreadsheets), printers, document imaging scanner, recording equipment, copy machines, telephones etc.; read, write and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance; comprehend, interpret and follow instructions.
Experience with legal documents and court processes and procedures is highly desirable, type 35 wpm.
Desirable (but not required) certifications include: Peace Officer (PC 830.5)
