Associate Municipal Judge

About the Role

Works under the administrative direction of the City Council and supervision of the Presiding Municipal Court Judge. Hears and determines cases brought before Municipal Court and supervises the operation of the Court in the absence of the Presiding Judge. Conducts hearings, applies facts to law, reaches legal conclusions, issues findings and orders, and assesses fines and other legal sentences in excess of the maximum amount allowed to be levied under state law.

Supervisory Responsibilities

No direct supervision of employees, however, supervises courtroom procedure as required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the operation of the court, when presiding, by reviewing, verifying, and signing orders as needed; default judgements; bond forfeitures; dismissals; and others as directed by the Presiding Judge.
• Review and process blood warrants for DWIs when on call.
• Magistrate and arraign prisoners at the jail by:
  • Determining probable cause.
  • Identifying the accused and advising them of their charges.
  • Administering magistrate's warning.
  • Setting bond.
  • Informing defendant of plea options and accepting pleas on each charge.
  • Setting trial dates on not guilty pleas.
  • Assessing fines and/or other punishment on guilty findings.
  • Preparing and providing the court clerk with the record of arraignment, the defendant's plea, judgement, and other documentation and orders as needed.
  • Administering collection of fines and court orders.
  • Providing the jailer with written orders for release or confinement of the prisoner along with any conditions or requirements.
• Conduct hearings on capias pro fine prisoners by:
  • Identifying the prisoner to the warrant.
  • Administering magistrate's warning.
  • Advising the prisoner of the amount of fine due and payable.
  • Ordering fines paid or commitment.
  • Providing the court clerk with written documentation of findings and orders.
• Determine if a claim or suspicion of indigence is valid and conduct indigence hearings in accordance with the law; issue orders appropriate for the case; prepare for the court clerk a report of the indigence hearing and other documentation on findings and orders.
• Magistrate out-of-county prisoners by:
  • Determining the warrant information.
  • Identifying the prisoner to the warrant.
  • Informing the prisoner of the charge(s), location, and jurisdiction.
  • Administering magistrate's warning.
  • Preparing, executing, and filing documentation.
• Remain on standby during assigned periods as the "on-call" judge; conduct regular court dockets at the direction of the Presiding Judge; review and approve probable cause affidavits and orders for arrest; magistrate juveniles under investigation by Pearland Police; issue protective orders when required under the law.
• Be available by telephone when called and able to respond within one hour to any emergency requiring a judge or magistrate. Associate judges share on-call time by mutual agreement or as directed by the Presiding Judge.
• Complete yearly training required by the City, as well as TMCEC.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate.
• Six or more years of experience.
• Extensive legal experience in the State of Texas.
• Knowledge and ability to analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to local government problems.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply municipal, state, and criminal law in a fair and impartial manner.
• Experience as a Municipal Court Judge (preferred).

Qualifications

• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Texas Law License.
• Texas Bar Annual Certification.
• Fingerprint for CJIS/TLETS.