What are the responsibilities and job description for the Presiding Judge position at Desoto Group Inc?
Description
This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any timewithout prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration
Our Core Values
We LOVE DeSoto
This position reports to the City Council and is appointed by majority vote of the DeSoto City Council. The purpose of this position is to maintain jurisdiction of Municipal Court including Class C misdemeanors, City ordinance violations, Class C juvenile cases. This is accomplished by upholding laws; scheduling and presiding over municipal dockets; reviewing activities; enforcing laws and ordinances; administering policies and procedures; directing the preparation of court proceedings and other aspects of judicial authority by interpreting local, State and Federal laws, charter provisions, regulations and ordinances affecting the City.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
This position involves sedentary work, which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. The position may require physical abilities such as: speaking, walking, and standing to accomplish tasks.
Work Environment
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office or meeting and training rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire and building safety regulations, and traffic signals when driving.
Employee Benefit Information
Health Insurance- BCBS
Dental Insurance- BCBS
Vision Insurance - EyeMed Insight
Flexible Spending - Payflex
Employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for yearly out of pocket medical expenses. Subject to IRS annual limits and restrictions.
Life Insurance- Dearborn National
The City provides each employee with a life insurance policy of 3 times their annual salary up to a maximum of $150,000.
Voluntary Term Life Option- Dearborn National
This is additional low cost life insurance available to employees and their dependents.
Employee Assistance Program- Deer Oaks
Assists in recommending counselors for any city employee experiencing personal problems.
Education Pay
Employees can receive a monthly additional pay for Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PHD degrees.
Social Security
Employee participates at 7.65% contribution with matching city funds.
Texas Municipal Retirement System
Employees participate in a statewide retirement program at 7% contribution with a city match of 2:1.
Five years vesting, 20 years retirement at any age.
Vacation
Non-civil service employees accrue 6.67 hours per month (2 weeks per year).
All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).
Sick Leave
Non-civil service employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).
Holidays
Non-civil service employees receive 13 paid holidays per year including one personal or "floating" day.
Longevity Pay
Earned at a rate of $4 per month.
This is calculated on number of years of service up to and including 25 years (maximum $1200).
Worker's Compensation
Worker's compensation coverage is provided for all employees.
Fire/Police
Eligible for Education/Certification pay.
Deferred Compensation Plans- Mass Mutual/Empower
Payroll deduction for employee participation. City does not contribute.
This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any timewithout prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration
Our Core Values
We LOVE DeSoto
- L- We lift up our community
- O- We take ownership of our collective performance
- V- We value and respect all employees
- E- We empower employees to grow
This position reports to the City Council and is appointed by majority vote of the DeSoto City Council. The purpose of this position is to maintain jurisdiction of Municipal Court including Class C misdemeanors, City ordinance violations, Class C juvenile cases. This is accomplished by upholding laws; scheduling and presiding over municipal dockets; reviewing activities; enforcing laws and ordinances; administering policies and procedures; directing the preparation of court proceedings and other aspects of judicial authority by interpreting local, State and Federal laws, charter provisions, regulations and ordinances affecting the City.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Preside over municipal court trial proceedings (bench and jury), regular court dockets (first appearance, pretrial, show cause, failure to appear, juvenile, etc.), hearings (dangerous dog, cruelly treated animal, junked vehicle, stolen property, expunction, etc.);
- Issue rulings on evidentiary matters, adjudicate/dispose of cases, consider indigency and ability to pay issues, make findings of fact and law, and enter judgments;
- Review and rule upon evidentiary search and seizure warrants, DWI blood warrants, code administrative inspection and abatement warrants, and at-large arrest warrants as presented by law enforcement;
- Review appeal bonds, subpoenas, capias pro fine warrants, failure to appear warrants, jury charges, dismissals, motions, judgments, appeals, and other court issued documents;
- Review and/or deny requests for continuances;
- Develop and maintain court decorum and security practices and procedures;
- Educate defendants of their rights and municipal court procedures;
- Manage all magistrate jail operations, including 15.17 jail warnings, setting bail amounts, reviewing Sandra Bland Act notifications, complying with Public Safety Report System (PSRS) entry and certification; reviewing arrest affidavits to determine probable cause, reviewing and approving jail paperwork, and all other magistrate work needed at the jail;
- Assist with juvenile court and community outreach programs; and
- Perform other duties as assigned by city council.
- Juris Doctor Degree;
- A minimum of nine (9) years criminal law work experience (criminal judge, prosecutor, and/or criminal defense);
- A minimum of one (1) year service as a municipal judge, justice of the peace, or criminal magistrate judge;
- Current license to practice law in the State of Texas, and ability to maintain license while employed;
- Required Texas Public Safety Report System (PSRS) training and certifications
- Or equivalent training, education, and/or experience; and
- Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of relevant local, state, and federal laws, policies and procedures;
- Knowledge and mastery of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Texas Rules of Evidence, Texas Transportation Code, and the Texas Penal Code;
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal court administration;
- Ability to respond to requests for signature outside of regular Monday-Friday, 8am -5pm working hours;
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office;
- Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing;
- Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with city administration, other employees, and the general public; and
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
This position involves sedentary work, which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. The position may require physical abilities such as: speaking, walking, and standing to accomplish tasks.
Work Environment
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office or meeting and training rooms, e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire and building safety regulations, and traffic signals when driving.
Employee Benefit Information
Health Insurance- BCBS
Dental Insurance- BCBS
Vision Insurance - EyeMed Insight
Flexible Spending - Payflex
Employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for yearly out of pocket medical expenses. Subject to IRS annual limits and restrictions.
Life Insurance- Dearborn National
The City provides each employee with a life insurance policy of 3 times their annual salary up to a maximum of $150,000.
Voluntary Term Life Option- Dearborn National
This is additional low cost life insurance available to employees and their dependents.
Employee Assistance Program- Deer Oaks
Assists in recommending counselors for any city employee experiencing personal problems.
Education Pay
Employees can receive a monthly additional pay for Associates, Bachelors, Masters and PHD degrees.
Social Security
Employee participates at 7.65% contribution with matching city funds.
Texas Municipal Retirement System
Employees participate in a statewide retirement program at 7% contribution with a city match of 2:1.
Five years vesting, 20 years retirement at any age.
Vacation
Non-civil service employees accrue 6.67 hours per month (2 weeks per year).
All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).
Sick Leave
Non-civil service employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
All police employees accrue 10 hours per month (3 weeks per year).
All Fire employees accrue 15 hours per month (7.5 - 24 hour shifts a year).
Holidays
Non-civil service employees receive 13 paid holidays per year including one personal or "floating" day.
Longevity Pay
Earned at a rate of $4 per month.
This is calculated on number of years of service up to and including 25 years (maximum $1200).
Worker's Compensation
Worker's compensation coverage is provided for all employees.
Fire/Police
Eligible for Education/Certification pay.
Deferred Compensation Plans- Mass Mutual/Empower
Payroll deduction for employee participation. City does not contribute.
Salary : $150,000