Court Referee

Superior Court of California, County of Imperial; El Centro (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial seeks a Court Referee with integrity, flexibility, and exemplary people skills to perform judicial and quasi-judicial duties as prescribed by law.

The Court Referee will hear and decide infractions, small claims, and related proceedings, issuing judgments and orders under the supervision of the Presiding Judge; duties are divided roughly 80% infractions and 20% small claims, with the incumbent serving at the pleasure of the Court.

Qualifications

• Active California State Bar member with at least 10 years of practice in California, or 5 years with good cause as determined by the presiding judge.
• Valid California Driver’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the Court’s vehicle insurance policy.

Responsibilities

• Hear, evaluate and decide infraction offenses, small claims and related proceedings.
• Issue judgments and orders; preside as temporary judge when needed and by stipulation of the parties.

Skills

California Bar member

Legal experience

Public speaking

Job description

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is seeking candidates with a passion for executing and upholding the law. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of personal integrity, flexibility, and exemplary people skills.

This professional level position performs various judicial and quasi-judicial functions as prescribed by law California Rules of Court, Rule 10.700 et seq or conferred by the Court, making dispositions on cases. The Court Referee has the same jurisdiction and exercises the same powers and duties as the judges of the Court with respect to infractions and small claims. The Court Referee hears, evaluates and makes decisions on infraction offenses, small claims and other judicial proceedings, including the imposition of fines, sentences and the settlement of issues; interprets, enforces and carries out laws including issuing judgments and orders, and acts as a temporary judge and presides over cases as needed and by stipulation of the parties. The percentage of time dedicated to these responsibilities is approximately 80%(Infractions) / 20% (Small Claims).

The candidate holds office at the pleasure of the Court and works under general direction of the Presiding Judge.

IMPERIAL COUNTY

Imperial County was founded in 1907 and is the youngest of California’s 58 counties. Its current population is approximately 180,580 and encompasses a 4,500 square mile area in the southeast corner of California. The area includes over 400,000 acres of irrigated farmland that is among the most productive agricultural regions in the world. The terrain varies from 235 feet below sea level at the Salton Sea to 4,548 feet at Blue Angel Peak.

Imperial County is also the winter home of the United States Navy Blue Angels, the Glamis Sand Dunes, the Imperial Valley Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta, the Holtville Carrot Carnival, and Brawley's Cattle Call Rodeo. The County consists of seven incorporated cities: El Centro, Brawley, Calexico, Imperial, Holtville, Calipatria and Westmorland and is located on the international border with Mexico. Through the three ports of entry, there is travel of over 35 million people and over 250,000 cargo trucks each year. The Valley’s central location and proximity to Mexico make Imperial County an ideal location for industry and business services.

Imperial Valley is noted for its sunny climate and almost unbelievable agricultural productivity. The climate is hot and dry, ranging from lows in the mid 30's in January to highs of 110+ in July and August. There are lots of recreation opportunities for its residents and visitors varying from the sand dunes to golf and just across the border, amenities of a large urban city.

ABOUT THE COURT

The Superior Court of California, County of Imperial is a unified Superior Court, served by ten judges, one commissioner, and one referee. The Presiding Judge is the Honorable Monica Lepe-Negrete and the Court Executive Officer is Maria Rhinehart. The Court employs approximately 115 staff including full-time, part-time and contract. There are three current courthouses located: 2 in El Centro and 1 in Winterhaven. The Court utilizes a single case management system for all case types and submits data electronically to DMV, DOJ and JBSIS. For additional information about the Court, visit the website at www.imperial.courts.ca.gov/.

This position requires the incumbent to be an active member in good standing with the California State Bar and admitted to practice law in California for at least 10 years or, on a finding of good cause by the presiding judge, for at least 5 years. Candidates must possess a valid California Driver’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the Court’s vehicle insurance policy.

Soliciting Support for Candidacy

Each candidate for the position of Court Referee is advised that he or she should not contact any judge of the Court for the purpose of soliciting support for his or her candidacy. Solicitation of support on behalf of any candidate by any other person is also discouraged. Members of the selection committee will seek information from their fellow judges or others regarding the qualifications of candidates at the appropriate stage of the examination procedures.

Required Documentation

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Copy of California State Bar card showing active status.
4. Legal writing sample or samples such as a portion or all of an appellate brief, memorandum of points and authorities, opinion letter, article, etc. Sample(s) should not exceed 10 pages.
5. Five references including name, address and telephone number.

Notice

Superior Court of California, County of Imperial referees are prohibited from practicing law during their employment.