A swearing-in ceremony for Sharmin Gonzales as Clerk Magistrate of Buffalo County Court was held June 18, 2018, in the Buffalo County Courthouse in Kearney, Nebraska. Judge John Rademacher opened the ceremony and welcomed guests.  Judge Gerald Jorgensen administered the Clerk Magistrate oath of office and presented Gonzales with her certificate of appointment.

Gonzales has worked for the court system for nearly 24 years in the positions of: Assistant Clerk of Buffalo County Court, County Court Juvenile Specialist, Stenographer, and Records Clerk.

“Sharmin Gonzales brings a wealth of experience to her appointment as Buffalo County Court Clerk Magistrate,” said Trial Court Services Director Sheryl Connolly.  “This will ensure a smooth transition and continuity in services to the public and management for colleagues and staff.  We look forward to working with Sharmin in her new role.”   

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. Gonzales 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 Kearney. As Media Coordinator, she will work with judges and news reporters to coordinate logistics for news coverage and news cameras inside the courtroom.

She began her duties on June 1, 2018, replacing former Clerk Magistrate Jan Haeker.