GENERAL PURPOSE

The Associate Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the Mayor, subject to the approval of City Council. Under the general supervision of the Presiding Judge, the Associate Municipal Court Judge handles cases on his/her docket as directed by the Presiding Judge, holds court hearings, and performs state magistrate duties, which may include reviewing applications for arrest and search warrants for the police department and travelling to the county jail and police department to administer TCCP Article 15.17 state magistrate legal rights warnings and setting bail on prisoners with Lakeway Class C arrest warrants and other cases filed by Lakeway Police.  The Associate Judge presides over court proceedings and handles dockets, as assigned by the Presiding Judge, and splits county jail magistration duties with the Presiding Judge and also splits on-call duties for arrest and search warrants after-hours (for Lakeway Police Department) with the Presiding Judge.

 REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

     Reports to: Mayor

     Supervises: none

MAIN JOB TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Handle cases on all dockets as assigned by Presiding Judge (usually Night Court docket but can include day court docket as needed).
• Serve as judge in rotation on the adult and juvenile docket and performs magistration duties as assigned by the Presiding Judge.
• Reviewing, approving, and issuing arrest and search warrants.
• Signing of the paperwork prepared by the Chief Court Clerk.
• Handling special cases from the Code Enforcement Department to enforce City code of ordinances.
• Serve as City Magistrate, arraigns defendants at jail and at police department as needed, presides over court proceedings in Municipal Court, and performs the full duties of the office as defined by law.
• Preside over administrative hearings, court hearings, jury trials, and bench trials; processes and adjudicate criminal and civil cases in accordance with Texas Penal Codes, state and federal statutes, and court rules and procedures.
• Exercise independent judgment within specific legal guidelines; assures official Municipal Court activities are in compliance with federal and state laws, and City policies and goals.
• Review and sign court filings, motions, rulings, warrants and other legal documents; issues judicial process documents to compel appearances in court and compliance to legal rulings.
• Support the relationship between the City of Lakeway and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintain confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; perform other duties as required or assigned.
• Conveys a positive, professional image by action, communication and appearance.
• Exhibits regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Municipal Court Judge.
• Knowledge of State of Texas criminal and civil statues, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of Texas judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge and ability to follow Judicial Code of Ethics.
• Knowledge of principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records and other data that may be used in court and legal hearings.
• Knowledge of legal case management procedures, ethics, and techniques.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct.
• Knowledge of current political and economic trends in municipal, state and federal government.
• Ability to effectively communicate with City Council, City Manager, citizens of the City of Lakeway, employees and special groups requiring information as needed.
• Ability to review, understand, interpret, and analyze applicable civil and criminal laws and regulations.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines in order to ensure that justice is fair and equitable.
• Ability to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and open communications with City employees, law enforcement agencies, court and justice system representatives, and advocate groups.
• Skill to operate a computer utilizing a variety of business and Court specialized software.

WORKING CONDITIONS and PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work environment is primarily an office setting, where noise and temperature levels are moderate.
• Hours are typically set for court but will be on-call after normal business hours for police officers to call needing search and arrest warrants.
• Will split (1/2 month) with Presiding Judge for duties of County Jail magistrate and traveling to Lakeway Police Station to administer TCCP Article 15.17 legal rights to defendants being held on Lakeway class C misdemeanor warrants.
• Major holidays will be split equitably.
• Stressful situations are inherent to this position.
• Work occasionally requires travel, including over-night stays, involving training and conducting City business.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time communicating with and listening to court litigants, performing computer work, writing docket notes and preparing legal documents.
• Must possess general manual dexterity to operate computer, office machines, perform filing or other office functions; and reach with hands or arms.
• Must be able to move about office, bend or stoop, retrieve files, lift books or other materials, use step-stools and step-ladders to store and retrieve items of various sizes, shapes and forms weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: hearing, manual dexterity, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, and visual acuity.