A Clerk of Courts is a public official responsible for managing court records, filings, and documents related to court cases. This office typically handles the filing, preservation, retrieval, and dissemination of court records for various divisions such as general civil, domestic relations, and appellate courts. The clerk also manages financial transactions related to cases, such as collecting fines, fees, and bond payments.
Duties and Functions
- Maintains and preserves court documents and records.
- Ensures public access to court records unless exempt by law.
- Facilitates e-filing, allowing legal documents to be submitted electronically.
- Manages financial aspects like holding and disbursing monies related to court cases.
- Provides public services such as marriage licenses, passport processing, and jury services depending on jurisdiction.
Examples of Clerk of Courts Offices
- Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts manages records for the Common Pleas Court and Court of Appeals in Ohio.
- Hamilton County Clerk of Courts handles court document processing and vehicle titles.
- Miami-Dade County Clerk of Courts supports the 11th Judicial Circuit and offers online case searching and payment services.
- Various counties in Florida have Clerk of Courts offices providing diverse services like case filing, marriage licenses, and public records request.
Overall, the Clerk of Courts is the official custodian of court records and plays a critical role in the administrative functioning of the judicial system.