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Michelle Moore Trout is seeking another term as the clerk of court for Rockbridge County and the city of Lexington.
She was elected to the position in 2017 in a special election to replace clerk Bruce Patterson, who was retiring after nearly 40 years. Trout won the three-way race for the position, garnering more than 4,300 votes.
Prior to the election, Trout had served in the Buena Vista Circuit Court for 16 years, and for five years prior to that in Rockbridge County Circuit Court as a deputy clerk. This year, Trout is running unopposed.
Trout told The News-Gazette that she is seeking another term because she enjoys serving the citizens of Rockbridge County and the city of Lexington.
“My job requires me to work one-on-one with citizens and often the circumstances that bring someone to the office are life changing and can be a very emotional time for them,” she said. “My position offers a wonderful and unique opportunity for public service and I strive to make the most of every day.”
The role of a circuit court clerk, Trout noted, is to properly maintain civil and criminal records, which encompasses more than 800 responsibilities assigned to the office by the Virginia State Code. Civil records that the clerk is responsible for include issuing marriage licenses and concealed carry permits; recording deeds and land records; filing and processing adoptions, name changes and divorces; and probating wills. The clerk is also responsible for filing and processing all felony charges and misdemeanor appeals, as well as preparing and processing criminal court orders, properly entering dispositions for the jail and Department of Corrections and properly assessing fines, costs and restitution upon conviction.
Trout said that, to her, the job is “very challenging and very rewarding.”
“I never have a boring day at work,” Trout said, “and I am very thankful for [having] capable and dependable staff members to assist me in getting it all done. I’m proud of the friendly and professional service we provide daily to the public.”
