Are both the court clerk and the deputy court clerk considered public officials?

• A. Court Clerk is a public official
• B. Deputy Court Clerk is a public official
• C. Neither is a public official
• D. Both the court clerk and the deputy court clerk are public officials

Answer: (D)

Both are public officials because they perform official duties within the government’s judiciary. A public official is someone who holds a position in government or carries out official functions on behalf of the government. The court clerk is a government employee who serves as an officer of the court, handling essential tasks like maintaining records, issuing papers, swearing in witnesses, and processing filings. These actions are official acts that enable the court to operate and affect the public. The deputy court clerk works under the court’s authority and carries out similar official duties, supporting the administration of justice. Since both occupy government roles and perform official functions, they are both public officials.