
Late last year, Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) introduced a new blog series—essentially a “Who’s Who at SMC”—that lets you get to know the people behind the scenes who make the day-to-day interactions at the court function. Our sixth person for you to meet is Jasmine Williams, a court clerk at SMC. So far, we’ve also had you meet a bailiff, court cashier, jury coordinator, probation counselor, magistrate and the court’s chief clerk.
What does a court clerk at SMC do?
Court clerks—of which there are currently 20 of us— play a critical role in the courtroom and prepare the official record of all court sessions through SMC’s electronic case filing system and are responsible for audio recording of all hearings. We work closely as a team with judges, magistrates, bailiffs, defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys, interpreters and other criminal justice partners. Some of the duties of a court clerk include recording and reviewing details of court proceedings, entering case-related information into a court database, scheduling court dates, answering questions and ensuring processes happen according to court policy. Additionally, court clerks respond to emails, listen and communicate information between judges, attorneys, defendants, court personnel, outside agencies and the public.
What skills are needed to be a successful court clerk?
Maintaining confidentiality is critical, as well as the ability to remain calm and professional throughout stressful court proceedings. I also carry out the will of the judges—sometimes the public doesn’t understand that court clerks obey judges’ orders, and I need to maintain composure and help answer any questions or concerns a defendant or the public may have. Court clerks are also expected to engage in peer-to-peer training and share information with one another. A big thing we were all a part of last year was learning C-Track, the court’s new case management software. It was a huge lift for the court, as our old system was from the 1990s.
How did you become a court clerk at SMC?
Before coming to the court, I worked in an administrative job at Swedish Health Services and have my bachelor’s degree in healthcare, but I needed a change. Luckily, I was able to apply my skillset here at the court. I’m now studying for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and will finish it up later this year.
What do you do in your free time?
I’m a mom and love to support my son’s extracurricular activities. I also enjoy hiking, discovering new restaurants, and walking near the marina in Des Moines, where my mother lives. Walking helps clear my head for the work week ahead.