Rev 10/31/00

CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT OFFICE

Taraesa L. Wheary

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

The Clerk of Circuit Court Office is governed by Section 59.40 of the Wisconsin Statutes and County ordinances. The Office is responsible for salaries, except for the circuit court judges and the court reporters, plus all other costs associated with the operation of Racine County's court system. The County has a state-authorized ten branch Circuit Court System which includes the following divisions: probate, two civil, small claims, two juvenile, criminal, traffic, family and two felony. The Clerk of Circuit Court Office generates revenue for the County and State through the collection and recording of fees, fines, criminal forfeitures and guardian ad litem reimbursements. In addition, the Office serves the public and the legal community by maintaining the Racine County Law Library.

OBJECTIVES

Collection of delinquent fines, fees, costs, guardian ad litem fees, juvenile legal fees and court appointed attorney fees through quarterly mailings and assistance of collection agencies.

Continue plans of expansion for video conferencing in all circuit courts and related correctional institutions.

Continue off-site microfilming and destruction of microfilm beyond the retention period, reducing storage space needs for this department.

Continue the process of security within the court system.

PRIOR YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS

Completed remodeling third floor clerical office area, accommodating individual office for case manager and larger work area for court worker and clerk typist. This added additional space for family and paternity court cases.

Implemented Video conferencing in the felony intake hearing room which is used on a daily basis, reducing the transportation/movement of prisoners from the jail area for intake first appearances and creating a more secure environment.

Implemented quarterly mailings to collect delinquent fines, fees and costs for all case types. This procedure was never done in the probate division and has been very successful since the commencement of this new procedure.

COUNTY BOARD DIRECTIVE

The Clerk of Circuit Court's will review the options available for the collection of the outstanding revenues and report back to the Finance Committee within 3 months the findings for further consideration.