Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Framingham District Court

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Framingham, MA

8d

About The Position

The Assistant Clerk Magistrate assists the Clerk-Magistrate in carrying out magisterial and administrative duties under state statutes and court rules. Magisterial work includes reviewing and determining probable cause for criminal complaints and search warrants; making bail determinations; conducting preliminary probation violation hearings; adjudicating small claims matters; presiding over civil and criminal motor vehicle hearings; and deciding certain non-dispositive motions and other civil process matters. Administrative work includes maintaining court papers and records and handling tasks that help cases proceed efficiently to resolution. The position supervises support personnel in the Clerk-Magistrate’s Office and works under the direction of the Clerk-Magistrate or First Assistant Clerk-Magistrate.

The role is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Employment is contingent upon passing a criminal record check.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of relevant work experience in criminal justice, public administration, or business administration, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of higher education and relevant experience totaling 10 years.
• Alternatively, a law degree or graduate degree in a relevant field, such as criminal justice, public administration, or business administration, and at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Thorough knowledge of state statutes, case law, and court rules governing the powers and duties of the Clerk-Magistrate, and ability to interpret and apply them to office procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of court procedure, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court.
• Thorough knowledge of the organization, functions, jurisdiction, and authority of the court.
• Knowledge of and ability to use computer software such as MS Office, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to maintain complex and accurate court records.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others.
• Pass a criminal record check as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

• Receive applications for criminal complaints and review them for probable cause.
• Review applications for search warrants and determine whether warrants may issue.
• Conduct hearings and determine whether criminal complaints or arrest warrants may issue; decide appeals from civil motor vehicle citations, municipal by-law violations, and environmental citations.
• Conduct small claims trials and issue judgments; in the absence of a justice, arraign defendants, determine bail questions, and conduct preliminary probation violation hearings.
• Call the list of cases scheduled before a justice and make the official record of proceedings.
• Review filings from attorneys and pro se litigants and inform them about court procedure.
• Arrange hearings and notify counsel.
• Certify and transmit official copies of court records as required.
• Issue process as required by the court, statutes, and court rules.
• Receive, examine, and review filings for compliance with court rules and suitability for filing.
• Maintain electronic and written indexes of cases entered.
• Supervise receipt, recording, and disbursement of court fees and money.
• Distribute and implement changes in court rules and office procedures.
• Administer hearings inside and outside of court when no judge is present.
• Supervise support personnel within the Clerk-Magistrate’s Office.
• Perform related work as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager