STARTING PAY: $50.00-$60.00/HOUR

SUMMARY

 Duties include presiding over jury and non-jury trials; issuing arrest warrants and writs of capias, conducting an array of hearings; and performing other judicial duties and responsibilities conferred by law.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Presides over jury and non-jury trials, arraignments and hearings.
• Confers with Presiding Judge in establishing rules of procedure on questions within the court's jurisdiction for which standard procedures have not been established by law or superior courts.
• Issues arrest warrants, search warrants,  writs of capias, summons and general orders of the court.
• Ascertain the financial ability of arrestees to make bail, set bail amounts and other conditions of release.
• Administer magistrate warning for juvenile suspects.
• Administer magistrate warnings to detained persons, determine if probable cause exists for further detention.
• Conducts pre-trial hearings and prepares court's charge, approves or disapproves of attorney negotiations, pleas and motions for dismissal.
• Conducts indigence hearings.
• Sentences defendants in criminal cases, on convictions by jury or judge according to statutes of the state and local ordinances.
• Supervises the court reporter and court security staff in the performance of their respective duties.
• Meets and confers with Presiding Judge on the establishment and change of any judicial policy.
• Provides advice to the Court Administrator on issues affecting the organization and management of the court.
• Performs all other judicial duties and responsibilities as conferred by law.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Judges appointed must hold a Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited school of law and be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and in good standing. Experience should include a minimum of two years of direct trial experience in litigating a variety of civil and criminal cases in Municipal and State level courts. Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

Ability to complete 16- hour judicial training within one year from appointment and one 16-hour training every academic year thereafter approved by the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center.  Annual completion of continuing legal education (CLE) hours to maintain a law license as required by the State Bar of Texas.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skill.
• Current and thorough knowledge of Texas law and procedure applicable in the Municipal Court
• Ability to operate computers for data entry and word processing and other basic office equipment.
• Ability to learn new software and improve processes with existing software.

ADA PROFILE

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.  The employee must also walk, stand, sit, hear, crouch, reach, feel, finger, grasp, handle, push, pull, speak, see, and talk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee works in a dynamic environment that requires being sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.  The length of court proceedings can be unpredictable, and the employee must be able to work through lunch or stay late with no advance notice.  The employee will work a schedule that varies to include weekends and evenings. 

The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law.

The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.