About the Clerk of Circuit Court
Circuit Court Clerk Erica W. Conner is an elected official whose first term began on Jan. 1, 2008. Her office is
charged with more than 800 statutory responsibilities, extending beyond judicial-related business to non-judicial and fiscal activities as well. The Clerk is elected by voters to an 8-year term.
As Chief Operating Officer of the
Court, the Clerk ensures judiciary members are provided administrative support during courtroom proceedings. In criminal cases, the Clerk makes certain that all proceedings are recorded and memorialized, administers all criminal case records, and
coordinates case scheduling and other case-related activities with prosecutors and law enforcement. The Clerk's Office also lends overall judicial support by managing juries, maintaining and disposing of evidence, issuing arrest and other legal documents
to be served, investing/distributing monies on the part of litigants or third party beneficiaries, collecting criminal fines and costs and serving as repository for the Court's records.
Inquiries concerning the Court, procedures, policies
and records should be directed to the Clerk's Office, which essentially serves as the Court's clearinghouse for information. In accordance with statutory provisions, the Clerk's Office routinely provides statistical data, case-related information
and court documents to state, local, and federal agencies as well as to the general public, attorneys, litigants and the news media.
On the non-judicial side, the Circuit Court Clerk serves as the probate judge in admitting or denying wills
to probate and in qualifying executors, administrators, guardians and/or conservators.
The Clerk also serves as the County's Register of Deeds and is responsible for recording all deeds, deeds of trust, powers of attorney, and real estate
liens and releases. Other transactions and recordings processed include judgments, financing statements, fictitious names for businesses, marriage licenses, concealed handgun permits, and a variety of appointments including ministers, notaries, local
commission and board members and law enforcement officers.
The Clerk is required by statute to permanently preserve and archive the official records of the Court, in addition to probate (estate), real estate, and a vast array of other county
records. The Clerk's Office maintains records dating to 1773, the year of the County's inception. Records management is an immense and critical responsibility given the volume and types of records maintained,. Furthermore, because of the nature of
the Court's records, the office is a hub for information for use by commercial entities. The Clerk's Office's efficient operation is critical to a vibrant business climate in Montgomery County.
Fiscal responsibilities include maintenance
and investment of trust and condemnation funds as well as the collection of court fines and costs, real estate transfer fees, recordation taxes and a myriad of other fees authorized by statute. This revenue is used to fund citizen services, while
fines and costs collected in criminal cases produce significant revenue for the prosecution and incarceration of criminal defendants.
2017 Audit Information
2018 Audit Information