COURT ATTENDANT

Code: 01430 Local Non-Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, attends the judge of the court to which assigned; makes proclamations and announcements; maintains order and security in the court room; swears in witnesses and jurors; serves papers issued from the court; in accord with state statute may assist in the apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Makes court proclamations and announcements as directed by the judge such as calling the court to order, calling trial lists, announcing postponements, and adjourning court.
• Prepares court room as to temperature and ventilation and sees that counsel, court clerk, court reporter, and other necessary personnel are present before the judge leaves chambers.
• Attends the judge both on the bench and in chambers, answering telephone, obtaining law books, and procuring documents and records.
• Supplies information personally or by telephone to attorneys, prosecutor, sheriff, and other county officials as to trial, motion, military and dismissal lists, adjournments, current status, or disposition of cases.
• Administers oaths to jurors, witnesses, court officers, or others.
• Makes arrangements for the requesting of juries such as making arrangements for their housing, food, and general welfare during trials.
• Directs litigants and lawyers to the proper court rooms.
• Assists the public in locating lawyers and witnesses and brings proper parties together.
• Executes bench warrants when issued by the court in the failure of a witness who has been subpoenaed to appear in court and who has failed to obey said subpoena.
• Keeps necessary records.
• If necessary guards prisoners in a court room, and when necessary subdues, restrains, and physically removes unruly individuals from a court room.
• As assigned and in accord with state statute may assist in the apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of court practices and procedures and of the techniques which would be useful in maintaining order and security in the court room after a period of training.
• Knowledge of methods and procedures used in apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders against the law after a period of training.
• Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directives.
• Ability to learn quickly from observation, oral and written explanations, and from demonstrations.
• Ability to take and maintain a firm and correct stand when controversial matters arise.
• Ability to work harmoniously with associates and the public.
• Ability to preserve the dignity and order of the court.
• Ability to empanel juries.
• Ability to serve warrants and processes when necessary.
• Ability to apprehend and arrest violators against the law.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.