Roles of Court Participants
Bailiff: Law enforcement officer who calls the Court to Order, announces the arrival of the Judge, protects the Court participants during hearings, escorts defendants to and from lock-up facilities, fingerprints and photographs defendants found guilty, and secures the Courtroom after the docket is finished.
Clerk: Administrative Supervisor that manages the staff, sets and maintains the Court's docket, ensures efficient flow of paperwork, and maintains courteous customer service of the Clerk's Office.
Commonwealth Attorney: The attorney representing the State who is responsible for determining which criminal cases should be prosecuted and who presents witnesses and evidence against the defendant.
Court Service Unit Personnel: Employee of the Department of Juvenile Justice who provides services for the Court such as presiding over Intake hearings to determine if civil or criminal Petitions should be filed with the Court, preparing social histories for the Court, supervising juveniles placed on probation, drug testing juveniles, and monitoring Community Service, substance abuse, academic compliance, etc.
Criminal Justice Services Caseworker: Employee of the County of Culpeper who provides services for the Court in adult criminal cases by supervising adults placed on probation, filing show causes against adults who fail to comply with Probation, providing drug testing juveniles, and monitoring Community Service, substance abuse, academic compliance, etc.
Defense Attorney: An attorney either hired or appointed by the Court to represent a Defendant. The Defense Attorney asks the Court to do what the Defendant wants.
Deputy Clerks: Administrative Clerks that enter filings, prepare paperwork for court, assist the Judge in the courtroom, finalize case paperwork, and service the public courteously and efficiently.
Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) Agent and Special Counsel: A representative from DCSE provides the court with formal records about the payment of support and helps the Court obtain the necessary information to establish and modify support orders. Special Counsel represents DCSE, but not the parties, in this process.
Family or Household Member: Any person whom falls into one or more of the following categories- 1.) Any person to whom you are or were married; 2.) Any person who is your parent, step-parent, child, step-child, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, grandparent, or grandchild; 3.) Any person who is your mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, and who lives in the same home with you; 4.) Any person with whom you have a child; 5.) Any person with whom you now cohabit or have cohabited in the last 12 months, or any child of either of you who lives in the same home with you.
Guardian ad Litem: An attorney appointed by the Court to represent a child's best interest or an adult who is incarcerated or mentally unable to represent himself or herself. In cases involving children, the GAL will tell the Court what the child wants but the GAL must ask the Court to do what the GAL believes is in the best interest of the child. The best interest of the child may be different from what the parents want.
Judge: Presides over hearings and makes the final decision according to the law and evidence.
Juvenile: A person under the age of 18 years. Also known as a "child".
Social Services Caseworker: Employee of the Culpeper Department of Human Services who works with families and children to protect children by providing services to children and families and by finding appropriate homes for children when necessary.