Court Monitor

Position Overview

Reporting to the Supervisor, HCS Court Support, you will perform Courtroom Clerk and Monitor duties during court proceedings by digitally recording all proceedings.

Responsibilities

The Courtroom Monitor is responsible for:

• Maintains an accurate record of courtroom proceedings by testing recording equipment daily; operating and troubleshooting the digital court recording system; maintaining log notes of all proceedings; detailing all persons appearing before court, witnesses, interpreters, arraignment of defendants, adjournments, trial evidence, trial dates, and disposition of proceedings; and certifying the record of court proceedings (in person and virtual).
• Opening and closing proceedings; paging defendants, witnesses, and other parties; arraigning the accused; administering oaths to witnesses, enforcement officers, interpreters, and defendants; preparing, maintaining, and posting courtroom dockets for public information; providing court dates; and maintaining decorum and protocol.
• Assists and supports the Justice of the Peace by compiling all documentation and forms required for court.
• Records and confirms accurate judicial endorsements on official court record; bringing discrepancies to Judiciary's attention. Reviews all court orders (e.g., probation orders, warrant of committal orders) to ensure accuracy. Signs court orders as directed by the Justice of the Peace. Independently reviews and registers certificates of offence convictions for defendants failing to attend early resolution meetings, based on legislative criteria, including quashing tickets.
• Reviews, prepares the court docket and charging documents for all court appearances, ensuring all Informations are accounted for, and sends to stakeholders (prosecutions, police). Updates court docket in ICON daily (e.g., names of all parties, court date/time, court number, court time, offence date, type of charge, disposition). Scans dockets and charging documents as needed.
• Preparing certified transcripts of proceedings and prepares transcript invoices and calculates costs. Contacts ordering parties to retrieve completed transcripts. Logs recordings and exhibits transferred and returned from Appellant Court.
• Adheres to court master plan and liaises with Supervisor/Trial Coordinator to schedule/reschedule trials set in court as a result of crown and defense motions and adjournments.
• Notifies Interpreter coordinator need for interpreters. Verifies and signs off on interpreter invoices based on services provided.
• Communicates/coordinates with Judiciary, supervisor, defendants, counsel, agency workers, enforcement officers, interpreters, staff, and all other appropriate parties to ensure timely, effective use of court room and court time (in person, email, telephone), including discussing court scheduling and exchanging/verifying information.
• Performs moderator functions for virtual court proceedings (e.g., verifies identity of parties, maintains decorum, moves parties to virtual breakout rooms and courtrooms).
• Receives, records, and secures all exhibits tendered as evidence in court. Transfers and releases exhibits as necessary/directed in legislation; ensures exhibit is not required for appeal by checking spreadsheet prior to release.
• Seizes driver's licenses in accordance with suspension orders issued in court and returns to Ministry of Transportation.
• Advises the Justice of the Peace in the event of an emergency, secures a recess, and evacuates the courtroom.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

You will be a high school graduate and will have at least one year direct experience in a provincial courtroom. A working knowledge of legal and technical terms and courtroom procedures and protocol are also required. Bilingualism and the ability to operate a digital recording system, specifically Liberty Digital Recording equipment are definite assets. You will also demonstrate:

• Ability to operate Microsoft Office software.
• Proficient keyboarding skills.
• Excellent proofreading and editing skills.
• Excellent customer service, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with members of the judiciary, legal profession, stakeholders and general public.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team environment.

Police Check Requirement

This position requires the successful candidate to provide a clear criminal record check at their own expense.

Accommodations

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the City of Burlington accommodates the individual needs of applicants with disabilities within the recruitment process.

Note to Applicants: We thank all those who apply for positions, but only those applicants who are invited for an interview will be contacted.