History of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court

Origin of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court

During the summer of 1920, Sarasota citizens of the region that is now Sarasota engaged in public hearings that led to separation from Manatee County. By 1921, Sarasota County was established as an independent district.

The growth of the Sarasota community necessitated an expansion of county entities, including the Sheriff’s Office, county jail, judiciary, and other government agencies, which eventually led to the vacating of the original county courthouse in favor of other facilities. These changes created the opportunity to renovate what is today known as the Historic Courthouse. The space was remodeled to accommodate the Clerk of the Circuit Court—the only county government office occupying the building today.

The origin of the Clerk of the Circuit Court as a public trustee dates back to the provisions of the Florida Constitution of 1838, which established a county-level system of “checks and balances” that has served the public for over 175 years.

What’s in a Name: Why the Title, Clerk?

Dating back to early English history, the custody of court records was entrusted to one of the judges. It became apparent that one judge alone was not sufficient to preside over the argument, record the proceedings, and issue writs. When the Office of the Clerk was originally established, it was held by subordinate judicial officials chosen from among the clergy, who were the only literate group at the time. Thus, the name clerk is derived from the Latin clericus, meaning clergyman. In the English colonies, officers of the common pleas courts were known as county clerks, a title that continues to be used.

An Evolving Role

Today, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller is characterized as one whose duties are an integral part of the entire county governmental process. Governed by statutory authority, in accordance with the law, the Clerk is an elected official whose duties include aiding and promoting the judicial process, maintaining records, managing data and information for the courts and public access, and fulfilling fiscal responsibilities as auditor and custodian of all county funds. Taken together, the Clerk of the Circuit Court and the County Comptroller serve to provide a check-and-balance function on behalf of local government and the citizens of Sarasota County, Florida.