Municipal Court Judge

City of Oxford — Municipal Court Judge

Purpose of Position

Conduct all Judicial Court activities for the City of Oxford; administer and assist with all Municipal Court activities.

Qualifications

The qualifications for the position of Municipal Court Judge shall be as follows:

1. Applicant must be licensed to practice law in the State of Mississippi.

2. Applicant must be in good standing with the Mississippi State Bar

3. Available to preside over all court proceedings.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee Municipal Court operations
• Conduct Municipal Court trials
• Hear cases involving traffic offenses, misdemeanor offenses and city ordinance violations
• Conduct Preliminary Hearings
• Preside over all court proceedings
• Ensure orderly dispensation of justice
• Ensure fair and equitable treatment
• Work and coordinate with the City Court Clerk

Conduct and preside over misdemeanor and traffic offense hearings

• Hear cases concerning misdemeanor and traffic offenses
• Check and verify the Municipal Court docket
• Conduct initial appearance hearings for misdemeanors or felonies 
• Set appropriate bonds for misdemeanors or felonies
• Oversee pleas, trials and continuances

Perform various Municipal Court duties

• Issue arrest warrants and search warrants
• Supervise bailiffs, court clerks and others associated with court proceedings
• Set bonds for individuals charged with offenses not included in the court’s list of offenses
• Conduct legal research as needed
• Attend Municipal Judge seminars
• Works closely with the clerk of the court to coordinate the court calendar

Perform other duties as directed

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Municipal Court processes and procedures
• State and local laws concerning misdemeanors, traffic and occasionally felonies
• Proper grammar and proper use of English in speaking and writing
• OSHA standards and regulations concerning employee safety
• Federal and state statutes concerning the work of the department
• Mathematical skills, including addition, subtraction, division and multiplication
• Process and procedures for issuing warrants
• Available resources for legal research
• General functions and operations of municipal government

Skills and Abilities:

• Listen carefully and interpret meaning
• Maintain objectivity
• Apply and interpret laws
• Supervisory and management skills
• Meet specified or required deadlines
• Make decisions within specified time restraints
• Communicate effectively with residents, elected officials, attorneys, other city employees, etc., both oral and written
• Maintain confidentiality
• Work autonomously when necessary
• Deal with others in a professional manner
• Maintain professional composure in heated situations
• Follow departmental and city procedures