P/T MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Under limited supervision, a Part-Time Associate Municipal Court Judge presides over hearings and trials for criminal and traffic offenses, as well as the legally required procedures and administrative duties necessary to fulfil these duties; performs professional administrative and supervisory work in arbitrating disputes and advising counsel, jury, litigants, or other court personnel on pertinent matters relating to criminal or civil matters involving the Town of Summerville; and administering the municipal judicial system. Work involves establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the Chief Municipal Judge, Town Administrator, Assistant Town Administrator, other Town management and personnel, elected officials, jurors, plaintiffs, defendants, a variety of law enforcement personnel, attorneys, other legal professionals, and the general public. Reports to the Chief Municipal Court Judge. Note: The position typically requires one weekend per month, with a maximum of two, depending on where the dates fall in a given month. Any worked weekends will include Friday bonds as well.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Primary duties are to preside over bond court hearings on the weekends, issue arrest, bench, and search warrants as necessary, to include meeting with officers, reviewing incident reports, determining offense and degree of offense committed, and conducting bond revocation or modification hearings as necessary. This also includes being available for twenty-four (24) hour time-periods for on-call duty to sign warrants as needed.

Additionally, supports the Chief Judge as needed, including but not limited to, in presiding over Bond Hearings on weekdays, Traffic Court and Criminal Court as scheduled on weekdays, to include hearing bench trials on traffic and criminal offenses, ruling on evidentiary issues, rendering decisions, assigning fines or incarceration, and/or approving participation in intervention programs; conducts bench and jury trials, to include presiding over jury selection, trying the case, convening the court, pre-trial hearings and motions, rulings, instructions to jury, taking a verdict, and sentencing the defendant.

Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions that may require self-funding; reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.

Integrates the recommendations of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, parents, law enforcement personnel, and others with the judicial functions of the Court in an effort to achieve desired goals.

Provides effective professional liaison between the Town and the general public, the news media, law enforcement officers, attorneys, solicitors, defendants, victims, witnesses, jurors, court personnel, probation agents, and other related legal agencies.

Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.

Demonstrates regular attendance consistent with assigned schedule.

Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner, when appropriate.

Receives and/or reviews various forms, reports, correspondence, policies, directories, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; completes, processes, forwards, or retains as appropriate.

Prepares and/or processes a variety of documentation associated with department operations, per established procedures and within designated timeframes; reviews various documentation for accuracy and completeness; distributes/issues various documentation.

Refers to policy and procedure manuals, computer manuals, codes / laws / regulations, publications and reference texts, etc.

Operates a variety of office equipment and machinery such as copy machine, fax machine, desktop computer, printer, etc.

Uses a variety of tools such as standard office tools, etc.; a variety of supplies such as general office supplies, etc.; and a variety of computer software such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, accounting, or other programs.

Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as Town Council, Town Administrator, Assistant Town Administrator, Town management and personnel, elected officials, jurors, plaintiffs, defendants, a variety of law enforcement personnel, attorneys, other legal professionals, and the general public.

Performs other related duties as required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Requires a Juris Doctorate degree supplemented by two to three years of court experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must be licensed to practice law in South Carolina. Must be qualified as a Municipal Judge as required by the State of South Carolina

Qualified applicants who reside in or have an office in the jurisdictional limits of the Town of Summerville are preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the practices, procedures, rules and regulations of the Municipal Court.

Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of the Town and other governmental agencies.

Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge of the general office and court operations, functions and procedures.

Knowledge of the reports, records, files and letters, which must be prepared, processed and maintained in order to meet the requirements of the Municipal Court.

Knowledge of the terminology used within the Court.

Knowledge of how to operate a variety of equipment and machines (such as a calculator, etc.).

Ability to use independent judgment in routine situations, which occur.

Ability to communicate effectively with others both in person and over the telephone in a clear and concise manner.

Ability to compile, organize, prepare and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and related information.

Ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures and court operations.

Ability to read, understand and complete written requests and work assignments in a timely fashion.

Ability to learn and apply new skills needed in order to promote efficient completion of duties.

Ability to complete mathematical calculations as needed.

Ability to prepare clear and concise letters of correspondence as required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, calculator, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to twenty pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May involve reaching, stooping, and balancing.

All employees of the Town of Summerville are employed at-will and may quit or be terminated at any time and for any reason. Nothing in any of the Town of Summerville’s rules, policies, handbooks, procedures or other documents relating to employment creates any express or implied contract of employment. No past practices or procedures, whether oral or written, form any express or implied agreement to continue such practices or procedures. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the limitations set forth in this paragraph create any contract of employment unless: 1) the terms are put in writing, 2) the document is labeled “contract,” 3) the document states the duration of employment, and 4) the document is signed by the mayor upon approval by council.

I acknowledge receipt of the Town of Summerville Classification Description Disclaimer AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NOT A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT.

Part-time