A court clerk - in British
English clerk to the court, or in American English clerk of the court - is an
officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a
court. Another duty is to swear in witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors.
Traditionally, the clerk also was the custodian of the court's seal, which is
used to authenticate copies of the court's orders, judgments and other records.
In common law jurisdictions, the existence of the office of a clerk is one of
the typical criteria distinguishing a court of record.
In some jurisdictions, the court clerk is the one who reads the jury's verdict
form to the court. In Virginia, the clerk of circuit court may officiate civil
weddings.
In courts without a clerk, or if there is no specific officer otherwise
available, the judge may have authority to act as clerk of the court, as
sometimes in a short-staffed probate court.
In the United States federal court system, the Supreme Court and each District
Court, Court of Appeals, and Bankruptcy Court has its own Clerk, appointed by
the judges of the court. The Clerk is the custodian of the court's records and
also has responsibility for collecting fees and other deposits of money made
with the court. No judgment of a U.S. court is effective until it is signed by
the clerk and entered on the clerk's records. The court clerk is not to be
confused with a law clerk, as the former is essentially a secretary for the
court, while the latter is an attorney who assists the judge in making legal
determinations. And in the courts within the City of New York, the Court Clerk
is the highest ranking, non-judicial person in the courtroom. The Court Clerk is
the supervisor of the Court Officers in the Courtroom. Contact
Clerk of Court for information on the following:
Divorce
Fines
Mechanic's
Liens
Small
Claims
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** Please note the Clerk of Court will be closed the
following days due to state budget cuts.**
December 4, 2009
December 24, 2009
December 31, 2009
January 15, 2010
February 15, 2010
March 12, 2010
March 26, 2010
April 2, 2010
May 28, 2010
June 18, 2010
In Addition: The Clerk's office will be closed to the public on Tuesdays and
Thursdays from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm beginning December 15, 2009.
Address of office:
Clerk of Court
PO Box 266
Marengo, Iowa 52301
Hours Office is open:
*See above notice
Monday - Friday
8:00 A.M - 4:30 P.M.
Phone Number:
(319) 642-3914
Office holder name:
Cynthia Forsyth
Links:
Judicial Branch Website |