Municipal Court Judge

Department:

Judiciary

Job Details:

SALARY: Depending on Qualifications (DOQ)
Under nominal direction of the City Council and direct input from the Presiding Judge, the Municipal Court Judge, presides over bench and jury trials, motions dockets, and other various hearings within the jurisdictional limits of the municipal court, reviews and signs various warrants, serves as an “on call” magistrate during weekends and after work hours and other judicial duties related to administrative functions of the judiciary.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Presides over trials and renders judgments involving but not limited to:

o Class C Misdemeanors.

o City Ordinances.

o Traffic violations.

o Other cases appropriately tried in Municipal Court.

• Presides over various hearings conducted in the Municipal Court including but not limited to:

o Juvenile

o Domestic violence

o Dangerous animals

• Reviews, and may issue, search, arrest, inspection, and mental warrants.

• Arraigns prisoners, sets bonds, imposes fines, and issues magistrates warnings.

• Reviews cases with defendants and attorneys.

• Maintains court records, such as mental and probable cause warrants, as required by the State of Texas.

• Administers juvenile warnings.

• Reviews and processes case pleadings, orders, and judgments daily.

• On call as needed for magistrate duties several days of the month to include weekends and after hours.

• Directly supervises six other judicial staff and directly and indirectly supervises other Court staff including clerks and bailiffs.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Makes indigency determinations.

• Issues emergency protective orders in domestic violence cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of office and administrative practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, State and Federal Constitutions and Judicial Code of Conduct to apply municipal, state, criminal administrative and constitutional law.

• Skill in using PC Software including current Microsoft 365 applications.

• Skill in communicating professionally and tactfully with other city employees and the public by oral and written means.

• Skill with organization and attention to detail.

• Skill in analyzing and applying legal principles and precedents to local government problems.

• Ability to develop alternative solutions to problems, to evaluate courses of action, to reach appropriate decisions and to counsel/guide individuals.

• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment utilizing knowledge of the organization's policies.

• Ability to work independently under general instructions.

• Ability to perform a variety of physical skills including but not limited to filing, pulling, seeing, sorting, squatting, standing, stooping, twisting body, typing, walking, and writing.

• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including but not limited to PC, telephone, calculator, scanner, and copier.

• Ability to prioritize deadlines and tasks.

• Ability to learn new systems and procedures quickly.

• Ability to plan, organize, monitor, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to accomplish unit objectives.

• Ability to understand mathematical calculations involving fractions, percentages, and decimals.

• Ability to work within a set schedule that includes weekends and after-hour on call duties.

Qualifying Education and Experience:

• A Juris Doctor Degree

• Three (3) years’ experience in the practice of law in Texas

• Possess a license to practice law in the State of Texas, currently in good standing.

• Citizen of the United States and the State of Texas.

• Possession of a valid Texas Operator's License, Class C.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) year experience in a judicial or local government capacity.

• Preference will be given to applicants who reside within the city to support community engagement and timely response needs. This is a preference only and is not a condition of employment, in accordance with applicable state and municipal regulations.

• Bilingual proficiency is preferred to enhance service delivery and communication with diverse community members; however, it is not required and all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Employment Screenings Required:

• Criminal background check

• CJIS Background Check

• Residency within Tarrant County during tenure of office is mandatory.

City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.