Magistrate

Presides over the San Luis Magistrate Court and serves as the Department Director. Work is performed in accordance with applicable law and rules. The Magistrate Judge is appointed by Mayor and Council.

• Preside over court proceedings.
• Act as the judge in processing criminal and civil cases in accordance with the rules set forth in the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedures, the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure, Arizona Revised Statutes, and Rules of the Supreme Court of Arizona. 
• Comply with the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Code of Judicial Administration.
• Impose and enforce civil and criminal penalties upon determination of violation of State and local laws, rules, codes, and ordinances.
• Administer fair and impartial justice according to the Arizona and U.S. Constitutions.
• Conduct initial appearances and arraignments and determines conditions of release, in accordance with the Arizona Rules of Criminal procedure.
• Review and/or sign motions, rulings, warrants and other documents as required.
• Conduct hearings as necessary for the adjudication of cases filed in the Court.
• Serve as the Department Director for the Magistrate Court by providing guidance and direction to staff and acting in a leadership role in the department.
• Oversee the administrative functions, such as establishing organization goals, completing the budget and making financial decisions and managing personnel matters. 
• Manage and report on complex fine revenues and restitution disbursements;
• Supervise the Court Administrator and other court positions.
• Comply with Continuing Judicial Education and Training and Continuing Legal Education.
• Remain in good standing with the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct and, if admitted to State Bar of Arizona, remain in good standing with the State Bar of Arizona.
• Remain available for telephonic Search Warrants.

• Applicable local, state, and Federal statutes, City ordinances, codes, rules and regulations governing the court system.
• The criminal justice system and criminal laws.
• The Arizona Rules of Court and Rules of Criminal Procedures.
• Legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and fiscal accounting procedures.
• Principles, procedures, and methods of legal research.
• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.

• Exercise considerable independent judgment in determining the procedures of the court and judgments rendered.
• Conduct legal research, analyze/interpret information, apply legal opinions, and make sound judgments and determinations on cases under consideration.
• Provide fair and impartial customer service to individuals appearing in municipal court.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate complex administrative, operational, fiscal plans.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Manage and monitor the work performance of a department.
• Effectively perform high-level conflict resolution. 
• Manage difficult personalities and individuals in stressful situations.
• Create and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships.

• Listening, researching, analyzing, interpreting, and deciding cases in accordance with the U.S. and State Constitutions and judicial procedures and practices.
• Applying the rules of evidence.
• Drafting and presenting verbal and written instructions.
• Assessing all the evidence impartially to make rulings on the cases.
• Drafting legal rulings and orders.
• Reviewing, understanding, interpreting, and analyzing complex civil and criminal laws and regulations.
• Applying justice in a fair and equitable manner.
• Applying legal concepts in the administration of justice.

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline AND
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working in a court or legal environment. 

• A valid Arizona driver’s license at the time of appointment.

• Residency in the United States within 25 miles of the City of San Luis.
• Must pass a fingerprint check prior to employment. 

• Juris Doctor Degree
• Experience in criminal law
• Bilingual in Spanish
• San Luis residency

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 30 pounds unaided. Employees must be physically capable of operating City vehicles, for job-related purposes, safely. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied individuals.

Work Environment: 

The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work a flexible schedule.