Melanie Williams Henshaw
Midlothian,Virginia
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with extensive experience at Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office, adept in legal documentation, case management, and courtroom operations. Excelled in leadership, significantly enhancing team efficiency, and demonstrated exceptional communication skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office and legal research, embodying professionalism and a strong work ethic in high-pressure environments.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Criminal Courtroom Clerk
Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office/Judges’ Chambers
09.2007 - Current
- Reviewing and preparing case files prior to Court to ensure the correct documentation is in the file
- Meeting with Judge prior to Court docket to go over files
- Attending Court; make detailed notes of appearances, motions, findings, rulings, exhibits submitted, orders, proceeding Court dates
- Swear witness, reporters, label exhibits, prepare hearing sheets, keep track of numerous exhibits, seat and swear juries
- Assist the Judge, lawyers, witnesses, and other Court attendees prior to the commencement of hearings
- Communicate during Court, via email with other Clerk’s office and county employees as needed about hearings in session
- After hearings and during Court prepare jail orders to commit offenders to incarceration facilities
- After hearings prepare Court orders with Judge’s findings, rulings, and orders for entry by the Court
- Update multiple computer systems with new Court dates, sentences, programs, and other important information, some of which is available to public view
- Update financial systems with convicted defendant’s fines and costs, process attorney and expert witness vouchers for payment by the Supreme Court
- Answer phone calls from defendants, lawyers, other agencies
- Take payments and answer inquiries
- Prepare capias, summons, rules and show causes for the arrest of defendants
- Read and interpret criminal history reports (in state and out of state), warrants, indictments, and other charging documents
- Attend grand jury/docket call proceedings
- Assist with customers in reception; answer questions, take payments, set up payment plan contracts
- Review Court dockets to ensure they are correct
- Locate defendants by use of Vinelink and other websites and prepare transportation orders
- Read and interpret statutes to determine how Court procedure should be handled, ensure proper sentences and conditions are being handed down, inform and verify with the Court if there are any deviations to the sentences and conditions
- Communicate with the Virginia Sentencing Commission in regard to sentencing guidelines presented to the Court and return of those guidelines once the matter has been adjudicated
- Lead Clerk over evidence storage and destruction
- Train new Court Clerk’s on in and out of Court policies and procedures
- When the Court Supervisor is absent, I am the first point of contact for the other Court Clerks and other divisions in the office, as well as outside entities
- Attend webinars presented by the Supreme Court of Virginia in reference to legislative updates, interpret and apply those updates to policies and procedures currently in place, and create new policies and procedures as dictated by the changes
- Extensive knowledge and use of Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Adobe, etc
- Comfortable, working relationship with Judges and other high-ranking county Officials
- Maintain the Judges’ master calendars with dates for all hearings set
- Prepare Appeal Record for the Virginia Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Virginia
- Keep the Courtrooms organized and well stocked and order supplies when needed
- Communicate effectively with Judges, lawyers, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, Judicial Administrator, and other high-ranking officials, as needed, in writing, by phone or electronically
- Conduct legal research on current statutes and case law
- Prepare legal documents including orders, correspondence, et cetera
- Review legal documents including briefs, motions, memorandum, et cetera
- Serve on the committee to transition Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office to a fileless clerk’s office
- Participate in a pilot program with the Judges to prepare for a fileless Court
Communications Officer
Chesterfield Emergency Communications
02.2001 - 09.2007
- Answer 911 emergency lines, quickly enter calls for service into a computer aided dispatch system
- Provide necessary medical pre-arrival instructions
- Diffuse dangerous and or/crisis situation and obtain all pertinent information
- Add additional information, as provided, to call for service to keep responders updated
- Answer non-emergency lines and answer questions for internal and external customers
- Handle a police radio with anywhere from 10 to 30 officers, keeping track of their locations (i.e
- Traffic stops, routine patrols, field interviews, etc.) dispatch units and assisting units to calls for service
- Prioritize calls for service based on type of call and location of responding units
- Communicate with call takers about calls for service while simultaneously handling the radio traffic
- Enter missing/wanted people and/or stolen items into the national and statewide teletype system
- Run and Relay Criminal History and DMV reports to Officers as requested
- Give tours to different community groups of the 911 center
- Train new hire communication officers
- Teach 911 classes to Chesterfield County first graders
- Attend frequent medical training class; was CPR and EMT-B certified
- Certified in VCIN/NCIC
Education
High School Diploma - General
Manchester High School
Midlothian, VA06.1997
Skills
- Planning/Organizing
- Time Management
- Flexibility
- Technically Literate
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Professionalism
- Typing
- Motivated
- Conscientious
- Strong Work Ethic
- Accurate
- Works Well Under Pressure
References
- Professional, Mary Thomas, Senior Crime Analyst-Virginia State Police, 8044751116, marygina@verizon.net, 5400 Parrish Creek Cir, Midlothian, VA, 23832
- Professional, The Honorable, Frederick Rockwell, III, Judge, 8048392706, judgerocky@gmail.com, 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA, 23112
- Professional, April Newcomb, Criminal Division Supervisor, 8043188937, newcomba@chesterfield.gov, 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA, 23832
- Professional, Teresa Ryan, Administrator of Judicial Operations, Circuit Court Judges’ Chambers, 8047176369, ryant@chesterfield.gov, 9500 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA, 23832
Phone
cell, 8046906347
Awardsqualifications
- Life-Save Award Recipient (this call was featured on ABC Nightly News, The Weather Channel’s Storm Stories, and the Maury Povich Show)
- Completed Numerous Classes through Chesterfield University
- Previously Held CPR/EMT-B Certifications
- Numerous Commendations for Exceptional Service
- Completed the ‘Train the Trainer’ and ‘Employee Leadership’ Courses through the County
- Chosen to Participate in Focus Groups For New Policy, Procedures, and Operating Systems
Timeline
Deputy Criminal Courtroom Clerk
Chesterfield Circuit Court Clerk’s Office/Judges’ Chambers
09.2007 - Current
Communications Officer
Chesterfield Emergency Communications
02.2001 - 09.2007
High School Diploma - General
Manchester High School
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