Presiding Municipal Judge

SALARY: Depends on Qualifications (DOQ)

JOB SUMMARY: The Presiding Municipal Judge is responsible for establishing local judicial rules and administrative policies to ensure the efficient operation of municipal courts. This involves overseeing the work of judges, managing court resources, and ensuring compliance with state and local laws and regulations. This function also includes supervising court personnel, managing case dockets, and implementing security measures for the court.

The City Council appoints the Presiding Municipal Judge to serve for a term of two (2) years.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Formulating local judicial rules of practice and procedure, including prescribing rules and procedures not inconsistent with state law and city ordinances, as necessary for the orderly processing and adjudication of cases in the municipal courts.
• Developing administrative policies of the court and exercising administrative control and oversight over the appointed municipal judges, including, without limitation, authority to set work hours, schedule vacations and leave times, coordinate schedules, assign court duties, and conduct performance evaluations of the municipal judges.
• Allocating workloads among the municipal judges and providing for the distribution of cases, office equipment, and other budgetary items among the municipal judges.
• Supervising personnel under the administrative authority of the judiciary, performing other administrative duties as may be appropriate within the limits of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the City Charter, and City Ordinances, or state law.
• Municipal judges shall have the judicial and magisterial duties conferred upon them by state law in accordance with Texas Government Code 30.00006(e) as it currently exists or as it may be amended.
• Municipal judges shall take notice of state law, the ordinances of the city, and the territorial limits of the city in accordance with Texas Government Code 30.0006(e), as it currently exists or may be amended.
• Municipal judges may grant writs of mandamus, attachment, and other writs necessary to the enforcement of the jurisdiction of the court and may issue writs of habeas corpus in cases in which the offense charged it's within the jurisdiction of the court and in accordance with Texas government code 30.00006(e) as it currently exists or may be amended.
• Municipal judges have all the powers and duties assigned by the city charter city ordinance, Texas government code chapters 29 and 30, and other state law, including Texas Government Code 30.00006 and 30.00854(d) as they currently exist or may be amended.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• The judge shall take judicial notice of state law and the ordinances and corporate limits of the municipality.
• A municipal judge is a magistrate and may issue administrative search warrants.
• An act performed by any of the judges is binding on all parties to the proceeding.
• Maintain a central docket for cases filed within the municipality's territorial limits over which the municipal courts of record have jurisdiction.
• Request the jurors needed for cases that are set for trial by jury.
• Temporarily assign judges or substitute judges to exchange benches and to act for each other in a proceeding pending in a court if necessary for the expeditious disposition of business in the courts.
• Supervise and control the operation and clerical functions of the administrative department of each court, including the court's personnel, during the proceedings of the court.
• Establish a court security committee to adopt security policies and procedures for the courts served by the presiding judge.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be a resident of the state and Tarrant county;
• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Be a licensed attorney in good standing with the Texas bar; and
• Have two or more years of experience in the practice of law in the state of Texas 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of office and administrative practices and procedures. 
• Skill in using PC software, including the current Microsoft Office Suite applications. 
• Skill in communicating professionally and tactfully, verbally and in writing. 
• Skill with organization and attention to detail. 
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment utilizing knowledge of the organization's policies. 
• Ability to prioritize deadlines and tasks. 
• Ability to understand mathematical calculations involving fractions, percentages, and decimals.

Employment Screenings Required:

• Criminal background check

Specific Job Details:

City of Arlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.