LEGAL PROCESS CLERK II

Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, perform a wide variety of legal clerical duties related to receiving and accurately processing large volumes of legal transactions within legally set time limits; assist the public in legal procedures of legal processes; and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Legal Process Clerk II is the journey level. Incumbents are expected to exercise judgment and independence in applying complex legal codes, policies and procedures while performing the full range of assigned duties. Incumbents provide training and technical information to staff.

TYPICAL TASKS

Positions in this class are located throughout the Court in various areas, and depending on the assigned area perform a variety of the tasks listed below. Tasks may include, but are not limited to the following:

Accept and examine legal documents for accuracy relative to form, format and conformance with legal procedures for filing; certify documents; di rectly interact with the public including handling counter duties; answer the telephone, take messages, provide information and/or direct callers to the appropriate resource; provide general non-legalinformation on court policy and procedure; collect fees, fines, and bails; issue receipts; use a variety of computer programs to enter, retrieve, and access information; schedule and calendar cases; issue and recall bench warrants; research various legal codes and rules; prepare copies; issue abstracts of judgment, writs of execution, attachments and judgments by default; enter defaults, dismissals, satisfactions judgments, orders, and decrees; review and prepare case folders and indexes; review orders and judgments for correctness prior to presentation to judges; review case files prior to court date to assure all necessary documents are present and that proper legal procedures have been followed; securely receive, maintain and distribute exhibits and other material introduced at trials; destroy, or execute order for destruction of exhibits or evidence; complete forms according to Department of Justice reporting regulations; maintain jury records; summon and provide information to jurors; speak in front of a large group of people; exercise discretion in granting deferments to prospective jurors; prepare and pro cess appeals in accordance with all applicable statutes; review automated and hard copy case files to determine if a defendant has fulfilled the terms of sentencing and take the appropriate action for non-completion; prepare necessary court orders and forms for court action on delinquent accounts; grant allowable extensions to comply; act as a liaison with com munity service based agencies; track defendant's fulfillment of community service obligations; prepare correspondence and forms; prepare statistical reports; answer telephone inquiries; provide technical assistance to staff; perform other legal clerical assignments as directed; may act as backup to a Courtroom Clerk or other classes on an irregular basis.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Thorough knowledge of:

• Office procedures and practices.

Working knowledge of:
• Legal terminology, forms and documents used in the court system
• Functions, procedures, services and jurisdiction of the court.
• Vocabulary, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Basic arithmetic including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Some knowledge of:

• California statutes related to Superior and/or Municipal Court proce dures such as the Civil Code of Procedure, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, and Rules of Court.

Ability to:

• Understand and follow complex written and verbal instructions.
• Perform difficult and responsible legal clerical work requiring accuracy and attention to detail.
• Understand the meaning and intent of a wide variety of legal documents.
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply specific statutes, codes, regu lations and procedures.
• Use independent judgment to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.
• Determine priorities and organize workload.
• Work quickly and accurately on multiple tasks in a noisy environment with multiple distractions.
• Meet the public with composure, understand their inquiries and assist them in getting the help they need.
• Effectively communicate with individuals and large groups.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of business.
• Write clearly and legibly.
• Make arithmetic calculations.
• Type at a moderate rate.
• Input and access data using a computer, and for some positions, work at a keyboard for extended periods of time.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Lift, move and carry buckets of documents weighing up to twenty pounds.
• Some positions require sitting for extended periods of time.
• Some positions require standing for extended periods of time.
• Some positions require lifting and moving a variety exhibits of different weights and sizes, such as guns, weapons, drugs, syringes, chemicals, blood vials, and photographs.

Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the re quired knowledges and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledges and abilities would be:
• One year of journey level clerical experience, plus one year of legal clerical experience.
• License Requirements: Possession of a valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is ap proved by the appointing authority, is required for some positions.
• Background Investigation: Fingerprinting is required.
• Special Working Conditions: Exposure to individuals who may be hostile and abusive; allergins such as dust and perfume; and unpleasant odors such as unwashed clothing or body odors. For some positions, evidence and testimony which may be disturbing, such as photographs of murder scenes and victims; evidence which may include syringes, drugs, weapons, and blood.

  PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: Deputy Court Clerk, Legal Clerk, Senior Legal Clerk, Deputy Jury Commissioner
  Bargaining Unit: 41
  EEOC Job Category: 06
  Occupational Grouping: 09
  Workers' Comp Code: 0053