Assistant Clerk Magistrate - Framingham District Court

Massachusetts Trial Court•Framingham, MA

10d

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 duties include determining probable cause for criminal complaints and search warrants; making in-court and out-of-court bail determinations; conducting preliminary probation violation hearings; adjudicating small claims motions and trials; and presiding over civil and criminal motor vehicle hearings. The role may also involve deciding certain non-dispositive motions in civil and criminal cases, entering defaults and default judgments, and handling other civil process. Administrative duties include preparing and maintaining court papers and records and completing tasks that help cases move efficiently toward a determination. The position is performed under the direction of the Clerk-Magistrate or First Assistant Clerk-Magistrate and supervises support personnel in the Clerk-Magistrate's Office. This is a designated management position covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

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 administrative procedures.
Thorough knowledge of court procedure, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court.
Thorough knowledge of the court's organization, functions, jurisdiction, and authority.
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.

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.
Determine 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 or prescribed by statutes and court rules.
Receive, examine, and review filings; ensure compliance with court rules and determine suitability for filing.
Maintain electronic and written indexes of cases entered.
Supervise the 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.