If elected, clerk candidate says she will reopen Family Court Facilitator’s office
Barbara Melton
Candidate for Clark County Clerk
VANCOUVER — On June 12, 2018, the clerks in the Clark County Family Court Facilitator’s office were told that, due to budget cuts, the Facilitator’s office would be closed by the end of the year.
With one position being cut, and another being told to move to another position — the office will effectively be shuttered by June 25 (when the postings for the position close).
“If elected,” said candidate for Clark County Clerk Barbara Melton, “I will reopen the Facilitator’s office in order to better serve the citizens of Clark County. “
The Facilitator’s office assists clients with getting the proper paperwork filled out and filed, knowing which courtroom they need to be in, and what time they need to be in court.
“For people who have never had to navigate the court system, and are learning for the first time during a very stressful period of their lives,” Melton said, “the facilitator’s office is a huge relief.”
More than 75 percent of domestic cases filed in Clark County are pro se, meaning that these citizens are navigating the court system by themselves. The Facilitator’s office sees, on average, 600 clients per month, at a very minimal charge of $20 per visit.
“This is a huge portion of citizens who will fail to be served by the Clerk’s office, starting very soon,” Melton stated.
Barbara Melton is a Vancouver resident who is a candidate for Clark County Clerk and a legal secretary at the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.
