Pretrial Court Assistant
About The Position
The 61st District Court, established in 1968, handles a high-volume caseload within the City of Grand Rapids. The court is supported by six elected judges, an attorney magistrate, and dedicated staff in the Clerk’s Office and Probation Department. The team is committed to excellent customer service and the impartial management of cases. This is a part-time position with a flexible schedule determined by the court, typically four to five days a week, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This role offers a significant opportunity to contribute to the community and advance a career in Michigan's court system. Under general supervision, the Pretrial Court Assistant coordinates and supports pretrial case-processing functions within the Probation Department. Responsibilities include reviewing arrest documentation, screening cases, completing necessary forms, maintaining victim case files, and coordinating referrals to community resources. Work is evaluated through observation, reporting, and file audits.
Requirements
- Associate’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, accounting or closely related area; or, high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D) and three (3) years of specialized experience in accurately applying rules, regulations or directives and the routine use of specialized terminology and office technology.
- Certified LEIN operator and recertify as applicable.
- Directly related college-level coursework may be substituted for required experience on a year-for-year basis.
- Knowledge of Court procedures and policies, legal documents, laws, and other information pertaining to the court or court procedures.
- Knowledge of Basic victim rights and confidentiality requirements applicable to a court setting.
- Knowledge of Community resources and referral agencies available within the City of Grand Rapids.
- Knowledge of Court record keeping principles and practices.
- Knowledge of Code of Conduct and compliance with the Code of Conduct and court confidentiality requirements.
- Skills in performing accurate data entry and maintaining complete and organized case records.
- Skills in contributing effectively to the accomplishment of the Court’s goals, objectives, and activities.
- Skills in use of automated systems and applications, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications, internet, financial systems, accounting applications, and various other types of systems and software.
- Abilities to perform specialized clerical and administrative support work in a court environment.
- Abilities to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
- Abilities to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) to individuals and groups to provide information regarding court information, practices and procedures.
- Abilities to maintain strict confidentiality of all case-related information.
- Abilities to interact professionally with individuals who may be in distress, maintaining appropriate boundaries and referring to qualified personnel as needed.
- Abilities to provide customer service and resolve difficulties while complying with regulations, rules, and procedures.
Responsibilities
- Reviews the daily arrest sheet to identify misdemeanor cases involving assault and battery, domestic violence, and child abuse.
- Reviews police reports for each identified case to determine whether the incident involves a qualifying relationship, including intimate partners, parent-child relationships, siblings, or other qualifying family members.
- Runs a LEIN check and obtains a driving record for each qualifying case; completes a Client Services Summary and Order of Special Conditions of Bond; and assembles the complete case packet in the required order.
- Distributes completed packets to the designated Deputy Court Clerk and submits original packets to Case Initiation.
- Maintains a daily log of all identified cases and conducts weekly follow-up to determine case disposition, including whether the case was ordered to COMIT or charges were not filed.
- Reports findings to the Deputy Court Clerk.
- Serves as an initial point of contact for victims in cases proceeding through the judicial process; provides basic procedural information and coordinates referrals to appropriate City of Grand Rapids and community resources.
- Establishes and maintains individual victim case files, collecting relevant information including contact details, victim impact statements, and restitution documentation.
- Transmits case files to the PSI team upon adjudication requiring a Pre-Sentence Investigation.
- Closes and retains records for cases that are dismissed or not filed.
- Emails required documentation to designated staff in accordance with established workflow procedures.
- Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Court's services by participating as an active and collaborative member of the Probation team.
- Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance, including attendance at required meetings.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
