Job Description

SALARY

$39.25 - $49.06Under general supervision, perform judicial duties as a municipal judge for the Municipal Courts of Arlington. The judge acts in the interpretation, application, and enforcement of local ordinances and applicable State laws. The judge shall perform these duties by presiding over the municipal court sessions (including pre-trials, trials, hearings, and other judicial proceedings as needed) and functioning as a magistrate in accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.17, to include issuing administrative search warrants.

Various hours are required based on court schedule and include (but are not limited to) weekends Saturday and Sunday, holidays, and weekdays (Monday – Friday, as needed), when performing magistrate duties.

Appointments for this position will be for the remainder of an unexpired two-year term, expiring June 2, 2027.
Compensation for this position is set by City Council.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Arraigns prisoners and issues magistrate’s warnings, imposes fines, sets and communicates bond amounts and other conditions of release as required.
• Reviews and issues applications for Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs).
  Issues search, arrest, inspection and mental health warrants, to include review of mental health information and drafting of mental health transfer and assessment orders pursuant to CCP 16.22.
• Presides over trials and renders judgments involving Class C Misdemeanors, City Ordinances, traffic violations and other cases appropriately tried in Municipal Court.
• Reviews cases with defendants and attorneys.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Maintains court records, such as mental health and probable cause warrants, as required by the State of Texas.
• Administers juvenile warnings.
• Presides over various hearings conducted in the Municipal Court as needed.
• Available as needed for magistrate duties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of the Texas Transportation Code, Texas Motor Vehicle Laws, Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedures, Texas Rules of Evidence, State and Federal Constitutions and Judicial Code of Conduct to apply municipal, state, criminal, administrative and constitutional law.
• Skill in analyzing and applying legal principles and precedents to local government problems.
• Ability to develop alternative solutions to problems to evaluate courses of action, to reach appropriate decisions and to counsel/guide individuals.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Qualifying Education and Experience:

• A Juris Doctor Degree plus a minimum of three years’ experience in the practice of law in Texas required; experience in a judicial, prosecutorial, local government attorney or criminal or civil trial practice position preferred but not required.
• Possess a license to practice law in the State of Texas, currently in good standing.
• Citizen of the United States and the State of Texas.
• Residency within Tarrant County during tenure of office is mandatory. Residence or office located in Arlington preferred but not required.
• Possession of a valid Texas Operator's License, Class C.

Employment Screenings Required:

• Criminal background check

City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.