Municipal Court - Municipal Court Judge

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Authorized By: Chapter 30 Government Code, (Subchapter V, Sec.

30.857); Ordinance 10-1997, pt 3(d), 2-27-97, Ref.

of 5-3-97; and City Charter Article V, SEC.

76 and appointed and under the administrative direction of the Mayor and City Council, presides over Municipal Court sessions and functions as Magistrate to administer justice in the disposition of cases involving ordinance or statutory misdemeanor violations within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.

Serves a two (2) year term.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED May direct the Municipal Court Clerk, Deputy Court Clerk(s) and/or City Marshals regarding the execution and application of law applicable to the Municipal Court.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES Reports to the City Council on the status of the Municipal Court as required.

Supervises Assistant Municipal Court Judges.

Assigns daily duties, sets uniform docket standards for all judges, monitors productivity, workload and performance throughout the year, and assists with the interview and selection process in the event of a judicial vacancy.

Acts as primary liaison to the council regarding judicial issues.

Performs Municipal Judge duties as outlined in Texas State law, subject to assignment by the City Council, including but not limited to: * Presiding over Municipal Court for all class "C" misdemeanors; holds court sessions to hear persons accused of violating city laws, ordinances, and other misdemeanor violations within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.

* Determining innocence or culpability (when hearing cases without a jury) and levies fine or bail commensurate with the violation in such a manner to preserve equity and uniformity in the application of existing laws and ordinances.

* Directing jurors in trial cases on proper interpretation of law.

* Advising inmates of their rights, sets bonds, and accepts pleas.

* Reviewing and signing affidavits for search and arrest warrants.

* Coordinating court activities and judicial policy with the Court Administrator, City Manager, City Attorney's Office, other city departments, and with outside agencies.

* Reviewing and signing court related paperwork in a timely and efficient manner so as to promote efficient and effective court operations and collections.

Performs Magistrate duties as outlined in Texas State law including but not limited to: * Issuing warrants, summons, magistrate warnings, etc.

* Presiding over driver's license suspension sessions for the Department of Public Safety; stolen property hearings, juvenile warnings, mental commitment hearings, etc.

* Signing various paperwork such as arrest warrants, search warrants, prisoner transfer documentation, appeal bonds, affidavits, judgments and dismissals, etc.

Works with the City Council to establish Judicial Policy and Orders within the parameters of state law but also consistent with the values of the community and needs of other departments.

Works with the City Council to establish judge specific performance benchmarks regarding the effectiveness and productivity of the court.

Operates a motor vehicle for the purpose of traveling to and from destinations.

Prepares an annual report to the City Council regarding judicial performance.

Performs legal research on occasion as needed.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: Ordinances, statutes, and court decisions relating to Municipal Court jurisdiction.

Judicial procedure and rules of evidence.

The organization, duties, powers, limitations, and authority of the Municipal Court.

Skill to: Perform advanced problem solving.

Ability to: Conduct legal research.

Analyze evidence presented in court, to apply existing laws impartially, and to render prompt and equitable verdicts.

Communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally.

Express legal interpretations clearly, concisely, and in a forthright manner using a vocabulary level understandable to parties concerned.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values - Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division's mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines: For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels.

Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through: Experience: Three (3) years of experience practicing law is required.

Education/Training: A Juris Doctorate degree in law from an accredited institution is required.

License or Certificate: A valid Texas driver's license; the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days, or a military waiver is required.

Licensed with the State Bar of Texas is required.

Special Requirements: Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: During the tenure of office, the municipal court judge shall reside within the city limits of the City of Abilene.

Must be a United States citizen.

Resident of the State of Texas for at least one (1) year prior to appointment.

Must be a qualified Voter.

May not hold an elected public office.

The position of Municipal Judge is recognized as the primary employment for the individual holding this position.

This position takes precedence over other employment commitments.

The incumbent will seek advanced permission prior to accepting secondary employment opportunities.

Must be present and primarily engaged in the City of Abilene duties during regular business hours Monday through Friday, except for City holidays.

With or without accommodation, the "X" indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday: _X_ Sedentary - lifting of no more than 10 pounds Light - lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds Medium - lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds Heavy - lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds Very Heavy - team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task: Codes for how often: N = No E = Extensive (100 - 70% of the time) M = Moderate (60 - 30% of the time) I = Infrequent (20 - 10% of the time) A = Almost Never (<10% of the time) Code / Task _I__ Standing _E_ Sitting _I__ Walking _A_ Lifting _I__ Carrying _A_ Pushing/Pulling _A_ Overhead Work _M_ Fine Dexterity _A_ Kneeling _A_ Crouching _N_ Crawling _I_ Bending _A_ Twisting _A_ Climbing _I_ Balancing _E_ Vision _E_ Hearing _E_ Talking Other: