Alternate Municipal Court Judge

Job Description

Job Description

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Pecos Municipal Court is a non-record state court with jurisdiction over Class C misdemeanors and violations of State and City ordinances punishable by fine only. The Alternate Municipal Court Judge is a contract position (non-employee) and appointed by a majority vote of the City Council. The Judge's term of appointment is for two years. The Alternate Judge serves as an Independent Contractor and provides judicial services in the absence of the Presiding Municipal Court Judge for the Pecos Municipal Court, either on an as needed basis or as scheduled in advance. The judge shall be compensated as determined and approved by the City Council.

Compensation :

$25.00 per hour (M-F)

$37.50 per hour for weekend pay

$50.00 per hour for holiday pay with a 2-hour ($100) guarantee

Reports to the City Council and coordinates operational matters with City Manager.

• Preside over Municipal Court for all class C Misdemeanors, City matters, criminal jury and non-jury trials, pre-trial conferences, juvenile warnings, the Youth Diversion Program, and other cases appropriately tried in Municipal Court.
• Maintain a central docket of all cases filed in the City of
• Review and/or deny requests for
• Determine innocence or culpability (when hearing cases without a jury) and levies fine commensurate with the violation in such manner to preserve equity and uniformity in the application of existing laws and ordinances.
• Collaborate with other Pecos Municipal Judges to ensure consistency.
• Supervise the administration of juror notification and direct jurors in trial cases on their role in the interpretation and application of law.
• Support court activities with Municipal Court Clerks, City Attorney, and/or City Prosecutor and other city departments.
• Review legislation and current case law affecting offenses and the criminal justice system and implement procedures to ensure compliance. Perform legal research as needed and determine fine amounts.
• Provide after-hours and/or weekend service as needed.
• Conduct hearings as
• Issue warrants, summons, magistrate warnings,
• Collaborate with the City Manager, City Council and applicable city departments to ensure policies, ordinances and orders are within the parameter of state law but also consistent with the values of the community and needs of the departments.
• Collaborate with the City Manager and City Council to establish judge specific performance benchmarks regarding the effectiveness and productivity of the
• Support the relationship between the City of Pecos and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information, perform other duties as required or assigned.

May represent the city at public and private meetings and conferences relating to City business.

Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Preferred experience as a Municipal Court Judge and TMCEC Certified Judges Education but not required
3. Those with a valid license as an attorney issued by the Supreme Court of the State of Texas, and a member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas is preferred but not required

• Knowledge of ordinances, statutes and court decision relating to Municipal Court jurisdiction
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence as well as the organization, duties, powers, limitations and authority of the Municipal Court.
• Ability to analyze evidence, apply existing laws impartially and render prompt, equitable verdicts.
• Possess a sense of fairness and exhibit respect towards all persons including but not limited to argumentative and often hostile persons in court.
• Demonstrate sound judgement based on evidence and validated information without
• Abide by the Employee Policies and Procedures Manual and subscribe to the core values of the City of Pecos.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and demonstrate the ability to adapt to new software applications as needed

• Valid Texas Class C Driver's License with satisfactory driving record, as defined by City
• Proof of citizenship and/or eligibility to legally work in the United
• Must be a resident of Reeves County
• Must submit to and pass a pre-employment drug test and criminal background
• Judges who are licensed attorneys must complete 16 hours of judicial education within one year of appointment, and 16 hours per fiscal year thereafter
• Judges who are non-attorneys must complete 32 hours of judicial education within one year of appointment, and 16 hours per academic year thereafter

Personal computer and/or laptop, including word processor, spreadsheets, court management and court video magistrate software, phone, network printer and copy machine, etc.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, crawl, talk, hear and manipulate objects. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those and employees typically encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions. Work is generally performed inside buildings including but not limited to confined spaces inside residential and commercial structures. The noise level in the fieldwork environment is typically moderate.