Associate Municipal Judge

Slate & Associates, Attorneys at Law

Date: 15 hours ago
City: Pearland, Texas
Contract type: Part time
General Description

Works under administrative direction of the City Council and supervision of the Presiding Municipal Court Judge. Hears and determines cases brought before Municipal Court and supervises the operation of the Court in the absence of the Presiding Judge; Conducts hearings, applies facts to law, reach legal conclusions, issues findings and orders, and assesses fines and other legal sentences in excess of maximum amount allowed to be levied under state law by performing the following duties.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No direct supervision of employees, however, supervises the courtroom procedure as required.

Essential Functions

Supervise the operation of the court, when presiding, by reviewing, verifying, and signing orders as needed; default judgements; bond forfeitures; dismissals; and others as directed by the Presiding Judge.

Review and process blood warrants for DWI's when on call.

Magistrate and arraign prisoners at the jail by determining probable cause; identify accused and advises them of their charges; administer magistrate's warning; set bond; inform defendant of plea options/accept plea on each charge; set trial dates on not guilty pleas; assess fines and/or other punishment on guilty findings; prepare and provide the court clerk the record of arraignment, the defendant's plea, judgement and other documentation and orders as needed by the clerk; administer collection of fines and court orders; provide to the jailer written orders for release or confinement of the prisoner along with any conditions or requirement.

Conduct hearings on capias pro fine prisoners; identify prisoner to warrant; administer magistrate's warning; advise prisoner of amount of fine due and payable; order fines paid or commitment; provide to the court clerk written documentation of finding and orders.

Determine if claim or suspicion of indigence is valid and conduct indigence hearing in accordance with the law; issue orders appropriate for the case; prepare for the court clerk a report of indigence hearing and other documentation on findings and orders.

Magistrate out of county prisoners by determining the warrant information; identify prisoner to warrant; inform prisoner of charge(s), location and jurisdiction; administer magistrate's warning; prepare, execute and file documentation.

Remain on standby during assigned periods as the "on call" judge; conduct regular court dockets at the direction of the Presiding Judge; review and approve probable cause affidavits and orders for arrest; magistrate juveniles under investigation by Pearland Police; issue protective orders when required under the law.

When called, the associate judge shall be available by telephone and able to respond within one hour notification to any emergency requiring a judge or magistrate. Associate judges share on-call time by mutual agreement or as directed by the Presiding Judge.

Complete yearly training required by the City, as well as TMCEC

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Juris Doctorate

Requires six or more years of experience.

Experience Requirements

Extensive legal experience in the State of Texas

Knowledge and ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to local government problems

Knowledge of and ability to apply municipal, state and criminal law in a fair and impartial manner.

Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to local government problems.

Experience As a Municipal Court Judge, Preferred

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Valid Texas Driver's License

Texas Law License

Texas Bar Annual Certification

Fingerprint for CJIS/TLETS
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