Municipal Court Magistrate (Part-time)

City of El Paso; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The City of El Paso Municipal Court is seeking an appointed part-time Municipal Court Magistrate. The role requires a licensed Texas attorney with at least two years of criminal law experience and residency in Texas, including the City of El Paso within the last year.

The selected candidate will serve as a magistrate for Class C misdemeanors, preside over arraignments, and support court operations while maintaining fairness and legal compliance.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Texas and in good standing.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in Texas criminal law.
• Must have resided in Texas and lived in City of El Paso in the previous 12 months.
• Knowledge of Texas State Law and City ordinances governing misdemeanors.

Responsibilities

• Adjudicate cases promptly and efficiently as Municipal Court Magistrate.
• Preside over arraignments, trials, and hearings for Class C misdemeanors.
• Explain charges and legal rights clearly to defendants.
• Maintain impartiality and uphold court procedures.

Skills

Criminal law experience

Texas Bar license

Education

Licensed attorney in Texas / Texas Bar

Job description

MOS Codes: None

This is a part-time (20 hours/week) appointed position.

Candidate must be a licensed attorney in good standing in the State of Texas and have two (2) or more years of experience in the practice of criminal law in Texas, have lived in the City of El Paso during the preceding 12 months, and be a resident of Texas. Considerable knowledge of: Texas State Law and City of El Paso Ordinances governing misdemeanor offenses, including conditions of juvenile defendants; court protocols, and procedures. Ability to: adjudicate a significant volume of cases promptly and efficiently; clearly and concisely explain pertinent legal information to affected parties; and fairly and impartially enforce judicial authority.

In accordance with Texas State statutes, serve as Municipal Court Magistrate reporting to the designated Presiding Judge. Serves as judge for cases involving Class \"C\" misdemeanors and as a magistrate for defendants arrested by the El Paso Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

Serves as Municipal Court Magistrate. Serve as appointed under the direction of the Presiding Judge, as judge for cases involving Class \"C\" misdemeanors, and as magistrate for defendants arrested by the El Paso Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies. Involves; serves as a judge at arraignment, trial sessions, pretrial sessions, civil parking hearings, and other court hearings; handle a significant volume of cases impartially and efficiently; advises defendants and other interested parties of charges, rights, legal opinions and rulings; review documents presented to establish proof of legal compliance; assess judgment and fines; record determination of court; hear preliminary pre-trial motions; handle additional cases as assigned by presiding judge; perform other related duties as required.

Please note: The successful selected candidate(s) will be able to maintain their legal practice.

Note: This is an Appointed Part- Time position for the City of El Paso Municipal Court.

• Duty Hours: Monday – Friday, hours may vary from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm to support the court schedule.
• Location: May be assigned to Downtown or Northeast Municipal Courts.

Note: The 1st date of review of applications will be October 13, 2026.

Note: Applicants with foreign diplomas, transcripts and degrees must have all documents translated and evaluated by an agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) prior to submitting them to the Human Resources Department. Please visit www.naces.org/members for more information.