Court Administration

Disclaimer

This information is not intended as legal advice but as a guide to the legal process. If you do not understand any of these procedures, we suggest you consult an attorney.

Overview

The court administrator appoints staff members and assigns and directs the work of the staff. The administrative work of this office touches the following areas of court jurisdiction:

• Civil and criminal actions
• Conciliation court
• Juvenile and family court matters
• Probate court
• Traffic violations bureau

Responsibilities & Services

Specific duties of the office include the receipt and filing of court documents and the processing, custody, and control of the filed items through disposition of the case.

Following disposition, the office is responsible for the pertinent final action, i.e., entry of judgments, issuance of executions for the collection of money, and then safe storage with ready retrievability of all written records of the action of the court.

Financial Officer

The administrator is the financial officer of the courts, collecting fines and fees, disbursing those collections to proper government units, and the reporting of such activity. The preparation of an annual budget for the operation of the office and presentation and implementation of the budget fall within financial duties.

Other Duties

Court procedure duties include drawing jurors; notifying jurors; swearing jurors, witnesses, and bailiffs; keeping minutes of court procedures; and receiving and recording verdicts. Calendaring cases for trial is a major responsibility of the office to guarantee the movement of cases on a timely basis. The administrator, if requested, may perform marriages.