Joni Roberts, Chadron, Nebraska, has been selected to serve as Clerk Magistrate in Box Butte County. She begins her duties on June 11, 2018, replacing former Clerk Magistrate Joni Woods.

Ms. Roberts was previously employed with the South Dakota Department of Social Services and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  She has a master's degree in Mental Health Counselling and a bachelor's degree in Political Science.  

Ms. Roberts' experience working with juveniles and their families, adult protected persons and related agencies will be valuable in her work as clerk magistrate with related cases.  She also brings administrative and managerial experience which will help her meet the diverse demands of the clerk magistrate position. 

County Court Clerk Magistrates work under the general direction of the presiding county court judge supervising, assigning, and directing the work of all staff within the county court. The position carries a high level of responsibility for the people, paperwork, and records of the court. Roberts will be responsible to ensure the efficiency of the court’s administrative functions and for investigating and evaluating procedural changes within the court. The Clerk Magistrate will also serve as the county court Media Coordinator in Alliance. As Media Coordinator, she will work with judges and news reporters to coordinate logistics for news coverage and news cameras inside the courtroom.

Roberts will work in the 12th Judicial District with fellow Clerk Magistrates Linda Hayden, Morrill County; Michele Woods, Kimball County; Lori Miskimins, Dawes and Sioux Counties; Catherine Allen, Grant and Sheridan Counties; Lori Bartling, Garden, Cheyenne and Deuel Counties; and, Dianne Lana, Banner and Scotts Bluff Counties. The Clerk Magistrates work under the direction of the 12th Judicial District county court judges Russell Harford, Kris Mickey, Randin Roland, Paul Wess, and James Worden.