Courthouses are places where legal matters are heard, disputed, and ultimately resolved. They deal with all sorts of crimes and misdemeanours, from speeding fines all the way up to murder, as well as civil matters such as fraud and child custody.
Here are some common things you can expect to find at courthouses:
- They’re highly organised – ensuring key details are correct and things happen on time is very important.
- You’ll work with people – most roles will see you working face-to-face with other people each day.
- Communication is key – there is lots of information that needs to be relayed between many people, so clear communication is vital to providing the best outcomes.
Key Outcome
Uphold the law and principles of justice
The main focus of courthouses is to punish offenders and compensate victims. Courthouses deal with matters of all sizes and severities.
Key Tasks
- Hear, advise, and decide on legal matters
- Schedule hearings and sentencings
- Prepare important case files
- Keep accurate and detailed records
- Assist clients with queries
- Ensure workers and visitors are safe
Industry
You can find courthouses in the professional, scientific and technical services industry
Courthouses are generally found in the professional, scientific and technical services industry. Courts can vary in size from small local district courts, all the way up to federal courts that hear matters of national importance.
Work Environment
You can expect regular hours and on-site work
Regular work hours | Work on-site | Jobs more common in metro areas | Strong job growth
Most courthouses have regular opening hours, usually around 9 to 5. Most workers will find themselves at work during this time frame.
A lot of the work in courthouses needs to be done in-person, so opportunities to work from home are limited.
Larger courthouses are generally based in metropolitan and regional centres, but there are small courthouses in towns and cities all across the country.
The Career Clusters you’ll find in a courthouse
People from all Clusters are needed for a courthouse to run effectively, but the most common Clusters you’ll find are Informers and Coordinators. As in any role, you might find yourself performing tasks across multiple Clusters.