Municipal Court Judge

City of Friendswood; Friendswood (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Friendswood is seeking a Municipal Court Judge to preside over the Friendswood Municipal Court and related dockets, handling plea and arraignment sessions, trials, and administrative hearings. The judge issues warrants and orders and acts as magistrate under state law and city ordinances.

The appointment is made by the City Council for two-year terms beginning July 1 of each even-numbered year. The court is not a court of record, and duties include emergency orders and reporting as

Qualifications

• Requires licensed attorney in Texas in good standing.
• Minimum five years of legal experience, including municipal court exposure or prosecuting role.
• Must be available for a variety of hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Preside over municipal court and jail dockets, including plea/arraignment and jury/non-jury dockets.
• Conduct trials, arraignments, administrative and juvenile hearings.
• Issue warrants, court orders, and provide written/oral opinions.
• Oversee emergency orders and magistrate duties as assigned.

Skills

Legal experience

On-call availability

Court management

Warrants/Orders

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Texas license to practice law

Job description

The City of Friendswood is currently accepting applications for a Municipal Court Judge. The Municipal Court Judge adjudicates fine-only criminal cases arising under city ordinances and state law, serves as a magistrate under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and presides over the Friendswood Municipal Court's dockets within the limits of municipal-court jurisdiction. This position is appointed by the Friendswood City Council for two-year terms, which commence on July 1 of each even-numbered year. The Friendswood Municipal Court is not a court of record.

Work Performed:

• Preside over the municipal court and jail dockets, which shall include plea or arraignment dockets, non-jury dockets and jury dockets as scheduled or as the need arises.
• Conduct trials, arraignments, administrative hearings, and juvenile hearings.
• Adjudicate the guilt or innocence of persons charged with Class C misdemeanors and assess punishment.
• Sign and issue warrants and court orders.
• Issue written and oral instructions and opinions.
• Issue Emergency Protective Orders on all family violence arrests.
• Conduct Emergency Protective Orders modification hearings.
• Conduct daily magistrate warnings to include all misdemeanors and felonies and make appropriate rulings regarding bonds.
• Sign off on blood search warrants.
• Perform court duties at the dockets established and as assigned by the Director of Municipal Court and coordinates with the Associate Municipal Court Judge(s) appointed by the City Council for such judges to serve in their absence.
• Consult with Associate Municipal Court Judge(s), City Prosecutor(s) and the Director of Municipal Court as to methods and procedures to improve the operations of the Municipal Court, all with the objective of promoting speedy and efficient justice within the Friendswood Municipal Court system.
• Respond to the Police Department for exigent circumstances to perform the duties of a magistrate, to issue and process warrants, and to administer bail and bond matters.
• Furnish periodic reports pertaining to the work or services related to this position at the request of the Mayor or City Manager.
• Adhere to all canons of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and notify the City Council as soon as reasonably practical of any inquiries or investigations conducted by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
• Perform all other duties required by a municipal court judge.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Must be a licensed attorney, in the state of Texas, in good standing, and meet the minimum mandatory continuing education requirements for Municipal Court Judges as established by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
• A minimum of five years of legal experience, including service as a municipal court judge (presiding judge or associate judge) or as a prosecutor.
• Must be available to work at a variety of hours, including, but not limited to, evenings, after and before normal business hours, weekends, and holidays. This position operates on a 24-hour day on-call status and may be required to perform after-hour duties sometimes with short notice, to support the Friendswood Police Department and the Friendswood Municipal Court.

This position may require 24-hour availability during emergency conditions