Courtroom ClerkMaryland State Judiciary

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. 

Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov) 

About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov)

Maryland Judiciary Pay Scale June 2025

Essential Job Functions:  

This is experienced clerical work performed within a courtroom, including assisting the judge with the docket, operating the recording system, preparing paperwork for signatures, and entering the judge?s findings in the case management system for criminal, traffic, civil, domestic violence and peace order cases.

Prepare all criminal/traffic cases scheduled for trial on a weekly basis when assigned as the out-clerk. Verify that all required paperwork is within the file. Determine whether a defendant is incarcerated or released, prepare bond paperwork if needed. Assemble court dockets 2 ? 3 days prior to trial.

Prepare the courtroom for the day?s scheduled trials. Test all recording and computer equipment for proper operation; ensure that an adequate supply of various forms used in the courtroom are available; ascertain that all necessary cases have been downloaded from Enterprise Justice; place docket in the courtroom and all necessary docket sheets on the Judge?s bench in the order in which he/she wants them.

Perform departmental duties for the Criminal, Traffic, and Civil department when not assigned to a courtroom, or once courtroom work is completed for the day.     

Ensure that all parties, i.e. complainants, defendants, officers, witnesses and state?s attorneys are present prior to calling the judge into the courtroom; swear in witnesses.

Enter case dispositions, judgements, postponements, fines and costs ordered by the judge into the court?s automated case management system; keep record of the day?s court proceeding by recording and entering key points for each case.

Prepare all necessary paperwork such as probation forms, restitution forms, fingerprint orders, community service forms, deferred payment forms, judgement sheets, commitments and releases. Commitments and releases issued during a docket are to be scanned in and verified prior to the end of the day.

Assemble and forward paperwork completed during court to the appropriate agency depending upon action required, i.e. parole and probation, detention center, law enforcement agencies, sheriff?s office.

Generate and verify the Courtroom Session Summary Report at the end of each docket.

Review case files for accuracy, completeness and needed signatures, e.g. ensuring judge?s signatures and date is recorded on all dockets.

Record judges bench time on proper form; process transcripts/CD requests.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:     High school diploma (or GED equivalent).

Experience:   Two (2) years of work experience, to include one (1) year in court operations or in the fields of criminal justice, parole and probation, legal or financial services.

Note:

A Bachelor?s Degree may substitute the required work experience.

A Paralegal/Associates Degree or 60 college credits may substitute the required work experience.

A Paralegal Certificate may substitute the required work experience.

Knowledge of:

Court forms, practices, procedures, protocols, systems, and equipment required to support the specialized work of the assigned unit(s).

Legal terminology and court procedures.

Judicial policies, procedures, and forms. 

Basic English and arithmetic to include, but not limited to, spelling, punctuation, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Skill in:

Operation of recording equipment, computer terminals, and related software.

Typing on a personal computer.

Managing priorities to meet critical deadlines while multitasking.

Ability to:

Acquire knowledge of Maryland Judiciary procedures, rules, practices, regulations, and jurisdictional courts.

Make work decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and Judiciary policies and procedures.

Apply job-related terminology, policies, procedures, regulations, and laws to define problems, collect data, establish facts, record data, appropriately complete forms, and provide information to customers.

Communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with judges, the public, police agencies, attorneys, and other court officials and personnel, both verbally and in writing.

Follow procedures, verbal and written instructions, and protocols for any given assignment.

Multitask, adjust to situations quickly, set priorities, and handle pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Work within time constraints, meet fixed deadlines, and demonstrate good organizational skills.

Handle sensitive or difficult situations requiring discretion and confidentiality.

Understand and carry out complex verbal and written instructions.

Pay attention to detail.

Exercise tact, diplomacy, and impartiality in dealing with the public, law enforcement personnel, and attorneys.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, superiors, and/or the general public.

Type efficiently and accurately to ensure all documentation leaving the courtroom is professionally completed.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equipment, Machinery and Tools:

Personal computer to prepare courtroom paperwork, docket preparation, communication between supervisors and public agencies. Calculator to calculate credit. Copier to copy documents. Fax machine to fax documents to necessary agencies. CourtSmart server to maintain proper recording and back-up recording. Desktop Scanner to scan documents to cases. Polycom, Zoom for Government for remote hearings and bail reviews.

Software and Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office ? Productivity; create/edit forms, edit schedules, email communication, store/share/edit notes. Odyssey ? Process cases. Clerk Edition ? Process cases in the courtroom. CourtSmart ? Official court recording. DV Courtroom ? Process Special Proceedings cases. Oracle PeopleSoft ? Complete, create and edit absence requests and timecards. Motor Vehicle Administration ? Lookup driver information in real-time for judges. Zoom for Government to Conduct remote proceedings.

Web Browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome) ? Find forms, tip sheets, general court information.

Adobe Reader ? Fill out forms.

Microsoft Teams ? Communicate, store notes and files, share important information with colleagues.

Selection Process:

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov.

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to ADA@mdcourts.gov or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. 

Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.