About the Clerk & Comptroller
Your Clerk of Court - a Public Trustee
I, Pam Childers, am your elected Clerk and Comptroller of Escambia County, first elected by the public on August 14, 2012 for a 4 year term. I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Government Finance Officer (CGFO) and have 20 years of governmental finance and management experience. I am married to Bruce Childers, a local attorney, and we have 4 children.
Nowhere in Florida history has any one elected officer been charged with more responsibility for protecting the public trust at the local level than the Clerk of the Court. The constitution and the statutes provide a myriad of mandates to the Clerk to provide services to the citizens, the state and the local government. The legislature and the courts enact laws and rules that mandate the Clerk to provide the checks and balances that protect the public trust at the local level.
I am here to serve you, the public, and give my promise to act with integrity and professionalism as your duly elected Clerk.
Sincerely,
Pam Childers
Role
The Florida Constitution Article V, Section 16 established the Clerks of the Circuit Court in the State of Florida: There shall be in each county a clerk of the circuit court who shall be selected pursuant to the provisions of Article VIII section 1.
The Clerk of Court is a vital part of the local court system, responsible for the coordination of jurors, swearing in court witnesses and recording evidence presented at trial. Any fines, fees or assessments collected by the Clerk are distributed to state and local governments according to law.
The Clerk's Office has the duty of maintaining and preserving the official documents and records of this county's rich history. In recent years, your Clerk has embraced technology to provide residents with greater and more efficient access to these documents. Electronic imaging and retrieval processes now allow for convenient online access to many real estate documents, criminal and civil court listings and volumes of other public documents under the Clerk's custody and control. Innovative security measures are used to keep your personal information safe.
One of the most important functions of the Clerk of Court is maintaining the financial integrity of the county. Your Clerk recognizes that local citizens have entrusted public funds to local government leaders. As the chief financial officer, or comptroller, for the county, the Clerk serves as accountant, auditor and custodian of your tax dollars and provides services to each of the county's departments. Your Clerk's Office strives to efficiently and effectively manage local government finances so that local residents and communities are better served.
Duties & Responsibilities
Florida Statutes Chapter 28 defines many of the duties for the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The following are just a few of the many duties that the Clerk performs.