Municipal Court Judge

DIS DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The

Municipal Court Judge is responsible for conducting courtroom proceedings in the Harlingen Municipal Court. The Municipal Court Judge will serve a two-year term and is responsible for conducting arraignments, pretrial disposition conferences, calendar calls, and jury and non-jury criminal trials. This position has the responsibility of presiding over Municipal Court proceedings, specifically focusing on class "C" misdemeanor cases. Your role involves conducting court sessions to address individuals accused of violating city laws, ordinances, and misdemeanor offenses within the court's jurisdiction. The Harlingen Municipal Court is a Court of limited jurisdiction; it exercises original jurisdiction over all violations of any ordinance of the City and concurrent jurisdiction over all misdemeanor violations of the law of the State of Texas committed within the City. Duties require the exercise of considerable independent judgment in managing the docket, ruling on motions, and adjudicating cases. Work is performed in accordance with the law and is subject to review by a higher court through an appeal or special action.

ES ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This This list is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

• Hears cases and renders judgments, establishing appropriate sentences and fines, as necessary.
• Conducts arraignments, court trials, jury trials, pre-trial hearings, mitigation hearings for criminal traffic and non-traffic violators.
• Accountable for the integrity and appropriateness of the judgments made in court.
• Keeps up to date on current court procedures, including The Texas Justice Court Rules and Regulations, all applicable state and federal laws, and City ordinances.
• Works with City officials in the development of new procedures and programs.
• Magistrates Class A and B misdemeanor and felony defendants.
• Performs Magistrate duties as outlined in Texas State law including but not limited to: Presiding over hearings and setting bail amount and conditions for defendants who have been arrested.
• Advises inmates of their rights and accepts pleas.
• Review and signs arrest warrants, search warrants, summons, magistrate warnings, emergency protective orders, prisoner transfer documentation, appeal bonds, affidavits, judgments and dismissals.
• Conducts Bench Trials and determines innocence or culpability and levies fine or bail commensurate with the violation in such a manner to preserve equity and uniformity in the application of existing laws and ordinances.
• Conducts Jury Trials and directs jurors in trial cases on proper interpretation of law.
• Coordinates court activities and judicial policy with the Court Administrator.
• Reviews and signs court related paper work in a timely and efficient manner so as to promote efficient and effective court operations and collections.
• Performs legal research on occasion as needed.
• Makes rulings on motions filed by attorneys.
• Performs other duties pertinent to the position.
• Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential function of this position, as is the ability to create and maintain professional, harmonious working relationships with others.

• Admission to the Bar in the State of Texas.
• Must not have any outstanding delinquent City of Harlingen financial obligations and must not be a party or attorney in any lawsuit against the City of Harlingen.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon assignment.

S SUPERVISION RECEIVED & EXERCISED

• General policy direction is received from the City Manager.
• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QU QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

• Communicate orally with defendants, witnesses, and the public in group settings to give instructions or information, and to respond to questions.
• Visually observe people's behavior in a courtroom setting.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material.
• Produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar.
• Conduct and control court proceedings, elicit pertinent information, and confine witnesses and litigants to relevant issues.
• Appraise factual situations and make appropriate decisions promptly and in accordance with the law.
• Manage the cases scheduled in the courtroom in an effective and efficient manner.
Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school; must be licensed by the State Bar of Texas and have two (2) or more years’ experience in the practice of law as a licensed attorney in Texas.

P PHYSCIAL REQUIREMENTS

The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands and fingers. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WO WORKING CONDITIONS

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This position is not classified as a safety-sensitive position.