Magistrate I

City of Dothan, AL; Dothan (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dothan, Alabama seeks a Certified Municipal Court Magistrate to perform a broad range of judicial duties and assist the Judge in court operations.

Responsibilities include preparing dockets, issuing warrants, processing court records, handling payments, and ensuring compliance with state and city codes. Requires knowledge of Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure and related ordinances.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Municipal Court policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Knowledge of the Code of Alabama.
• Knowledge of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinances.
• Knowledge of legal forms, documents, and terminology.
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Hears complaints from citizens and charges filed by law enforcement and determines probable cause.
• Enters court records data from source documents and creates court case entries.
• Assists in the courtroom, including calling the docket and preparing paperwork.
• Prepares dockets and applicable documents for court.
• Writes commitment and release orders and computes jail time.
• Responds to after-hours calls when on-call.
• Processes trials, issues subpoenas, and collects court payments.

Skills

Knowledge of Municipal Court policies

Knowledge of Alabama Rules of Criminal

Knowledge of the Code of Alabama

Knowledge of the City of Dothan Code

Knowledge of legal forms & terminology

Computers & software proficiency

Prioritization & organization

Problem solving

Interpersonal relations

Public interaction skills

Oral & written communication

Education

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

This position performs a variety of judicial duties as a Certified Municipal Court Magistrate.

• Hears complaints from citizens and charges brought by law enforcement officials and determines probable cause; determines if charges brought are proper; determines proper charge(s); takes complainants sworn affidavits; drafts and issues warrants; records and processes warrants.
• Enters court records data from source documents; enters tickets, complaints, and arrests to create court cases.
• Assists in the courtroom, including calling the docket, recording case adjudication, assists the Judge, continue cases, and preparing paperwork.
• Balances cash drawer daily; prints and reconciles transaction record; makes daily deposits; balances cash bond account and daily journal.
• Prepares dockets and applicable documents for court.
• Writes commitment orders and computes jail time; writes release orders.
• Responds to after-hours calls when on-call.
• Processes trials to include issuing subpoenas to witnesses and acquiring all required documentation.
• Issues warrants for failure to appear.
• Calculates and accepts fine and court payments; processes cash bond payments; issues receipts.
• Prepares daily docket of inmates.
• Researches case law and statutes to ensure proper charges are applied.
• Reviews and processes incoming correspondence for the Judge’s attention; reviews and processes a variety of incoming and outgoing files, forms, and records.
• Prepares legal and non-legal court documents and forms.
• Conducts Conditions of Release hearings with defendants arrested for domestic violence offences.
• Performs related duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of Municipal Court policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Knowledge of the Code of Alabama.
• Knowledge of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinances.
• Knowledge of legal forms, documents, and terminology.
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Municipal Court Administrator assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the results.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include the Dothan Code of Ordinances, the Code of Alabama, and Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of related Magistrate duties. Strict deadlines and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to provide support for the operations of the Municipal Court. Successful performance contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of court operations.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, judges, attorneys, other court personnel, defendants, victims, witnesses, and members of the public.
• Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, justify matters, and provide services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects and climbs ladders.
• The work is typically performed in an office and courtroom.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

None.

• Graduation from an accredited* college or university with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or closely related field;
• Three (3) years recent experience with the City of Dothan as a Judicial File Clerk.

OR

• Graduation from an accredited* college or university with an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or closely related field;
• Three (3) years recent experience performing administrative work in a legal judicial environment with heavy public contact to include accounting and cash handling duties.
• Possession of a current and valid Court Clerk/Magistrate Certification from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts preferred.

*An accredited agency is recognized by the U.S Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).*

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT/PROMOTION/DEMOTION/TRANSFER

Employees are required to complete/sign the Certification & Condition of Employment/Promotion/Demotion/Transfer form(s). [See condition(s) for details.]

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. (PBA09/10/01)
• Employees in this position are required to obtain/maintain a Court Clerk/Magistrate Certification from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts within twenty-four (24) months of employment/promotion/demotion/transfer. (See condition for details.)
• May require the employee be bondable and qualify as a public Notary.
• In an emergency and/or standby situation, an employee in this position must be able to report to his/her regular workstation in a maximum of 30 minutes from the time of notification. (Sec. 2-30. (2) / PBA 1/9/95) This requirement must be met within six (6) months of employment/promotion/ demotion/transfer. (See condition for details.)
• An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal, credit, past employment, and reference checks.
• Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy which includes pre-employment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position. (PBA 08/13/12).
• Must meet the City of Dothan's employment physical standards which include drug/alcohol testing.

Qualified applicants will be evaluated on training and experience as documented on their application. This evaluation will comprise 100% of their final grade.

Applicants with a disability who feel they need accommodation should contact the Personnel Department on or before the closing date.

An Equal Opportunity, Affir**c**ative Action Employer