NCJ Number
65499
Date Published
1979
Length
27 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DESCRIBES RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO KING COUNTY, SEATTLE, AFTER THEY REQUESTED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM LEAA TO RESTRUCTURE THE COURT'S CLERK TRAINING PROGRAM.
Abstract
THE COUNTY WAS CONCERNED WITH BOTH IMPROVING THE TRAINING PROCESS AND IN REDUCING THE LENGTH OF THE TRAINING SESSION FROM 16 WEEKS TO 6 OR 8 WEEKS. THE CONSULTANTS WERE ALSO ASKED TO EXAMINE THE HIGH TURNOVER RATE FOR COURT CLERK POSITIONS. FOLLOWING AN ON-SITE VISIT, THE CONSULTANTS MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COURT CLERKS TO FUNCTION MORE EFFECTIVELY AND TO IMPROVE THEIR TRAINING. A FULL-TIME TRAINING OFFICER SHOULD BE HIRED TO ADMINISTER THE TRAINING PROGRAM, AND THE BUDDY SYSTEM SHOULD BE AN INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM. A TRAINING COMMITTEE SHOULD PROVIDE GENERAL POLICY DIRECTION AND TECHNICAL ADVICE. A NEW COURT CLERK MANUAL SHOULD BE PREPARED, AS WELL AS AN OUTLINE OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM. THE EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAM SHOULD BE SHORTENED BY AT LEAST 4 WEEKS. CROSS-TRAINING SHOULD BE PROVIDED AND THE FOUR CLERKS IN THE JUVENILE DIVISION TRANSFERRED TO THE COURT CLERKS DIVISION. A ROTATION PROGRAM FOR COURT CLERKS SHOULD ALSO BE ADOPTED, AS WELL AS AN ONGOING PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY PREFERRED METHODS AND PROCEDURES. MOREOVER, THE FEASIBILITY OF EXTENDING TRAINING SERVICE TO DISTRICT COURTS SHOULD BE STUDIED, AND SALARIES AND BENEFITS OF COURT CLERKS ANALYZED. THE SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS POSITION DESCRIPTIONS SHOULD ALSO BE REVISED. STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE TRAINING PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF OTHER COUNTRY OFFICIALS. AN APPENDIX GIVES THE TRAINING COURSE OUTLINE AND THE TIME SCHEDULE OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT. (MJW)