Job Details for Courtroom Deputy

The Courtroom Deputy performs general and specialized court and chambers functions, in support of the assigned judge, the Clerk’s office, and the Court generally. The duties include managing the judge’s caseload and in-court criminal and civil proceedings. The Courtroom Deputy provides courtroom support including scheduling court proceedings; recording pertinent results for minutes; preparation of judgments; and management of court calendars. The Courtroom Deputy represents the Clerk in matters relating to courtroom administration and proceedings. Excellent oral and written communications skills enable the Courtroom Deputy to act as the liaison between the Clerk's Office, other federal and state agencies, and Chambers. This position entails a high level of knowledge and mastery of multi-faceted court and courtroom operations.

Representative Duties Include:

• Calendaring: Managing the judge’s calendar, including scheduling and rescheduling hearings, scheduling courtroom use, scheduling virtual hearings if used, coordinating with the U.S. Marshals regarding transportation of defendants in custody, and preparing a daily/weekly kiosk calendar.

• Noticing: Docketing timely notices for hearings; notifying the clerk’s office regarding interpreter and court reporter needs; notifying counsel, court reporters, and interpreters of hearings; and timely entering and/or vacating requests for jury notices.

• Docketing: Timely docketing entries in cases as required for your judge/chambers and as required by local rules, court procedures, and other internal guidance; and coordinating as needed with docketing clerks.

• Communication: Appropriate and timely in-person, email and telephone coordination with your assigned judge, law clerks, clerk’s office, court staff, counsel, probation, attorneys and the general bar, U.S. Marshals, and the general public as needed on all case-related and administrative issues.

• Communication with magistrate judges’ chambers: Appropriate and timely in-person, email, and telephone coordination on case related and administrative issues such as, providing sentencing dates, consent forms, and prompt confirmation as to whether a motion is referred/un-referred.

• Pre-Hearing Preparation: Arriving early to hearings to set up/stock the courtroom, test IT/AV systems, troubleshoot AV/IT issues if needed, preparing pre-hearing call sheet for the judge, and assisting court reporter/interpreter with set up as needed.

• Hearings: Calling court, recording court proceedings, administering oaths, managing recesses, note taking in preparation for preparing minute entries, receiving and documenting receipt of evidence, and closing court.

• Post-hearing responsibilities: Saving recordings in the proper location, writing and docketing minute entries, preparing judgments in criminal cases, docketing witness/exhibit lists or other hearing-specific entries, safeguarding and storing evidence, answering court reporter questions, and signing interpreter payment requests.

• Trial/evidentiary hearing preparation: Communicating with the jury administrator to work through case-specific jury plans/needs, coordinating with the judge and law clerks on case-specific trial responsibilities, working with counsel and the clerk’s office to prepare/set up courtroom and related room resources for case specific needs, ordering or otherwise making plans for jury snacks/lunches, training on and/or testing of all courtroom electronic technology to be used at trial with trial counsel,, resolving transport and security issues for criminal defendants with U.S. Marshals, testing jury deliberation room IT and resolving any issues, stocking jury deliberation room with necessary supplies, and obtaining and reviewing advance witness and exhibit lists.

• Post-trial/evidentiary hearing responsibilities: Saving recordings in proper location; writing and docketing minute entries; and docketing the jury panel record, jury seating chart, witness and exhibit lists, voir dire, jury instructions, jury deliberation notes, and verdict form. Storing and documenting the location of exhibits through time for appeal/appeal. Delivering completed jury administrator paperwork. Destroying juror notes and clearing/tidying jury deliberation room.

• Case management/reports/review: In accordance with the requirements of your assigned judge, review and screen case dockets, CM/ECF reports, emails, and other resources to track cases; notify the judge/law clerks on case-related requests/motions/proposed orders; and follow through on assigned tasks to keep cases proceeding smoothly and efficiently.

• Assist other courtroom deputies: When possible, assist and accept coverage requests from other courtroom deputies. Schedule court proceedings (including hearings, trials, and phone and video conferences) and schedule administrative conferences.

• Clerk’s office: Serve as liaison between clerk’s office and chambers to ensure that chambers is aware of and implementing current policies and procedures; assist with the accurate statistical reporting requirements of the Administrative Office and court; and perform additional administrative responsibilities, as assigned, for the judges and court staff in the St. George location, including coverage for other staff when unavailable, and arranging coverage of duties when on vacation or sick leave.   

• Additional tasks: Fulfill assigned responsibilities related to court committees, and/or performing other tasks as assigned by the judge and/or the clerk’s office.

• Perform general duties as assigned.