What are the responsibilities and job description for the Per Diem Municipal Court Judge position at City of Colorado Springs?
The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over violations of City Charter provisions and City ordinances. Court proceedings are governed by City ordinances, court rules, and state statutes. Municipal Court handles all types of traffic and criminal violations. Many of the traffic violations are payable to the court, but most criminal violations require an appearance in court before a judge.
As a Per Diem Municipal Court Judge you will interpret, apply, and enforce local ordinances and applicable state laws. Duties, which include arraignments, pre-trials, hearings, and other judicial proceedings, are performed in accordance with the law and are subject to review by a higher court through the appellate process or special action and by the Presiding Judge over Municipal Court sessions. The Per Diem Municipal Court Judge is guaranteed 12 docket days per year at a rate of $614.77 per docket day (2 dockets per day), or $307.38 per docket. These 12 docket days are to cover for the Presiding Judge to allow for administrative work. These days are not set and can be flexible with the Per Diem Municipal Court Judge’s schedule. Associate Municipal Court Judges may coordinate with the Per Diem Municipal Court Judge to cover dockets at this same rate. These funds will be deducted from the Associate Municipal Court Judge’s pay.
As a Per Diem Municipal Court Judge, you will:
Review citations and Municipal Court information received from the Police Department, Humane Society, Code Enforcement, Parking Enforcement and Fire Department.
Review complaints, summons, affidavits for search and arrest warrants, motions and petitions for revocation, prisoner information, affidavits and other legal documents.
Issue subpoenas, warrants, contempt citations, appeal bonds.
Levy fines and bail commensurate with violations of the law.
Prepare and analyze comprehensive legal documents.
Examine evidence in criminal cases.
Preside over Municipal Court for alleged violations of City ordinances, including, but not limited to, traffic violations, criminal violations, and property violations.
Conduct court dockets, including arraignments, pre-trials, court trials, jury trials, juvenile hearings, motions hearings, revocation hearings, and other hearings appropriately docketed in Municipal Court.
Provide written legal instruction to empaneled jurors.
Provide either written or verbal findings.
The expectations for an Per Diem Municipal Court Judge are as follows (these expectations are not all inclusive):
- Must not be a party or attorney in a lawsuit against the City of Colorado Springs and must not be an attorney representing defendants in the Colorado Springs Municipal Court.
- Use the Colorado Code of Judicial Conduct as guidance in conforming to the general principles it embodies.
- Must be competent in the law and the Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure.
- Consistently embrace and perform duties in professional manner (fair, dignified, courteous, etc.); provide excellent internal and external customer service (top priority for the Colorado Springs Municipal Court).
- Must abide by the provisions of the Code of Ethics, City Code 1-3-101 et seq. and all applicable rules and standards that apply to the attorney profession.
- Able to effectively exercise considerable independent judgment in managing dockets, ruling on motions, and adjudicating cases.
- Establish and maintain effective work relationships with employees, City officials, the court system, and the general public.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
The Municipal Court has jurisdiction over violations of City Charter provisions and City ordinances. Court proceedings are governed by City ordinances, court rules, and state statutes. Municipal Court handles all types of traffic and criminal violations. Many of the traffic violations are payable to the court, but most criminal violations require an appearance in court before a judge.
- Bachelor's degree and Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited college or university
- Must have seven (7) or more years experience in the practice of law in the State of Colorado
- Must be an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado and be in and remain in good standing
Must not be a party or attorney in a lawsuit against the City of Colorado Springs and must not be an attorney representing defendants in the Colorado Springs Municipal Court
Must be a resident of the State of Colorado and a citizen of the United States
Please contact Shereen Ross at Shereen.Ross@coloradosprings.gov for any questions about this position.
Salary : $615