CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS

Don't know the difference between a treasurer and a commissioner of the revenue? Not sure exactly what the clerk of the circuit court does? Here's a primer on the five constitutional offices:

The office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court dates from 1619. The clerk serves as the recorder of deeds and probate judge, issues marriage licenses and is the official court administrator for all civil and criminal court cases. The clerk creates and maintains all court files and records, prepares court orders and jury lists, contacts jurors and issues summonses and court processes.

Commissioners of the Revenue are the chief tax-assessing officers in Virginia's cities and counties. They handle the assessment of real estate taxes (in some cities and large suburban counties, assessors handle this function), personal property taxes, business license fees, consumer utility taxes, machinery and tools taxes, merchants capital taxes and special taxes on meals, lodging and cigarettes. Commissioners also help residents complete state tax returns.

Commonwealth's Attorneys represent the people of Virginia in prosecuting criminal cases — similar to a district attorney in many other states. In large counties and cities, they serve as full-time prosecutors and appoint one or more assistants to handle cases. In some smaller localities, they are part-time and may maintain a private practice.

The responsibilities of a Sheriff vary from locality to locality. In some counties, including New Kent, sheriffs provide all law enforcement services, including investigating crimes and making arrests. In cities and large suburban counties, police departments handle these functions. All Virginia sheriffs provide security in local courthouses, serve legal papers throughout their jurisdictions, summon jurors and witnesses and carry out court judgments. They often maintain local jails and other local corrections programs and transport criminal defendants to and from corrections facilities.

Treasurers are the chief financial officers for their localities, collecting taxes and local fees and making payments on behalf of the local government. Treasurers are responsible for every form of revenue that comes in — real estate taxes, personal property taxes, license taxes, water and sewage charges, permit fees, state income tax and court, sheriff and clerk fees. They also manage investment of local funds and maintain records of local finances.

Source: State Compensation Board's Web site

New Kent's Constitutional Officers

• Clerk of Circuit Court
  Karen Butler
  P O Box 98
  12001 Courthouse Circle
  New Kent VA 23124
  Phone: (804) 966-9520
  Fax: (804) 966-9528

• Commonwealth's Attorney
  Linwood Gregory
  P O Box 221
  12001 Courthouse Circle
  New Kent VA 23124
  Phone: (804) 966-5548
  Fax: (804) 966-5034

• Commissioner of Revenue
  Laura M. Ecimovic
  P.O. Box 99
  12007 Courthouse Circle
  New Kent, Virginia 23124
  Phone: (804) 966-9610
  Fax: (804) 966-5562
  Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Parcel Data

• Sheriff
  F. W. Howard, Jr.
  P O Box 186
  11995 Courthouse Circle
  New Kent, VA 23124
  Phone: (804) 966-9500
  Fax: (804) 966-5050

• Treasurer
  Herbert C. Jones, Jr.
  P. O. Box 109
  12007 Courthouse Circle
  New Kent, VA 23124
  Phone: (804) 966-9615
  Fax: (804) 966-8538