Court Administrator/Non-Attorney Magistrate

85TH DISTRICT COURT

MAGISTRATE/COURT ADMINISTRATOR

General Summary

Appointed by the Chief Judge of the Manistee County Trial Courts and the Judge of the 85th District Court, the Magistrate is under the direct supervision of the presiding Judge of the District Court. The Magistrate serves in a quasi-judicial capacity as prescribed by statute under the direction of the presiding Judge of the 85th District Court. Typical duties include conducting informal civil infraction hearings, conducting marriages, conducting criminal arraignments, accepts pleas and sentences on certain minor offenses before trial, issuing arrest and search warrants as properly authorized, and setting and collecting bonds. Pursuant to MCL 600.8501 the Magistrate shall be appointed by the Judges of the District and the appointment shall be subject to approval by the County Board of Commissioners.

Essential Functions

1. Supervises and directs court staff; assists in hiring and training new staff; provides instruction and training; maintains standards; acts on problems and concerns and evaluates performance.

2. Manages and oversees the processing of all criminal and civil files. This includes, but is not limited to, opening files, setting hearings, issuing notices, preparing orders et cetera.

3. Responsible for collecting and compiling statistics on Court activity. Prepares monthly reports and analyzes data to estimate future caseloads and project possible changes.

4. Acts as Court liaison with county officials, attorneys, media representatives, law enforcement agencies and other to explain court policies and procedures and discuss issues of mutual concern.

5. Identifies the need for, and, as appropriate, recommends, establishes, or directs the development of policies, standards, and work procedures affecting administrative non-judicial areas of the court.

6. Prepares budgets for judicial review and approval, presents budgets to funding unit, authorizes, and monitors budget expenditures, and works with funding unit, state, and federal officials regarding budget and related financial matters.

7. Manges financial transactions: ensures that receivables, expenditures, and disbursements are processed as required in accordance with accepted financial controls. Addresses any collection, disbursement, and accounting related irregularities. Regularly assists with, or otherwise completes daily and monthly accounting and disbursement of monies to local agencies, Manistee County, and the State of Michigan. Pays bills owed by the 85th District Court.

8. Updates legal resources as required. Monitors and updates District Court website.

9. Contacts and coordinates with sign language or foreign language interpreters for services.

10. Provides counter and telephone assistance to attorneys and the public regarding fines and costs due, court procedures, civil procedures, schedules, and specific case information.

11. Reviews and processes payments for tickets, court costs, filing fees and other matters, ensures that the proper case file is credited, and issues receipts.

12. Monitors and purchases office supplies that are unavailable at central supply.

13. Works with central dispatch recalling warrants.

14. Contact, reserve and prepare off-site premises for proceedings (COVID-19).

15. Operates zoom equipment when necessary (COVID-19).

16. Fills in and performs the tasks of absent employees.

17. Acts as the 85th District Court Sobriety Court Program Manager. Prepares and submits grant applications, budget revisions and modifications, prepares and submits quarterly reports and requests for reimbursement to the State Court Administrative Office. Occasionally presides over sobriety court sessions.

18. Oversees case processing activities, including the filing of all legal documents, ensures the proper custody, maintenance, storage, and disposal of court records. Develops and implements and effective caseflow management system to ensure cases are processed in accordance with caseflow management guidelines and standards. Coordinates the resolution of caseflow management problems with other court staff and judges.

19. Conducts arraignments for individuals charged with offenses specified by statute including violations of the Michigan Vehicle Code (excluding those defined by statute), Penal Code, Conservation Acts, Motor Carrier Acts, marine, snowmobile, and dog laws, as defined by law. Advises defendants of the charges and all legal rights, determines eligibility for court appointed counsel, and sets bond. The Magistrate may also accept guilty pleas and sentence defendants and ensure that defendants entering not guilty pleas are scheduled to appear before the court.

20. Conducts informal hearings on motor vehicle offenses designated as civil infractions, including explaining procedures to parties, swearing in witnesses, listening to testimony, examining witnesses, and making findings of fact, conclusions of law, determining responsibility, and issuing fines and costs when applicable.

21. Reviews information from law enforcement officers and, upon determination of probable cause, issues search warrants and/or arrest warrants.

22. Reviews bonds when appropriate, based on seriousness of crime, likelihood of defendant’s court appearance, and other relevant factors as outline by Michigan Court Rule, authorizes release of persons from jail on personal recognizance.

23. Serves in an “on call” status on nights, weekends, and holidays for issuance of search warrants, setting bonds, and conducting arraignments.

24. Reviews correspondence and prepares responses regarding traffic and criminal offenses. Accepts admissions of responsibility with letter of explanations regarding civil infractions. Assess appropriate fines and costs.

25. Accepts pleas on municipal civil infractions for City, Townships, and Villages and conducts informal hearings on the same.

26. Performs wedding ceremonies.

27. This list may not be inclusive or the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.

Employment Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree in business administration, court administration, or similarly related field is highly preferred. The employee should also have experience with public administration, computer operations, and public speaking.

Experience: Preferred three years of experience as a court administrator, or in a closely related capacity.

Other requirements: Must be a registered voter for Manistee County. Must be certified by the Michigan Supreme Court to conduct informal hearings and bonded through the local funding unit in the amount of $50,000.00

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

The District Court Magistrate/Court Administrator reports directly to the District Court Judge, and if necessary, to the Chief Judge of the County if not the same.

Physical Requirements

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in the description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements:

· Ability to enter and retrieve information from a computer.

· Ability to sit for long periods of time.

· Ability to access departmental files.

· Ability to climb ladders and stoop low to place and retrieve files and books.

Working Conditions

· Works in office conditions.

· Prolonged periods of sitting to enter data in computer.

· Exposure to persons charged or convicted of criminal offenses or at risk for criminal contempt, also persons in conflict situations.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $58,987.50 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $58,988