Magistrate

About the Role

The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.

This position performs a variety of judicial duties in the Colorado Judicial System including deciding the merits of cases, hearing and evaluating evidence and witness credibility, analyzing laws and rules, making findings of fact and conclusions of law and issuing oral or written decisions and orders to resolve cases. Provides administrative direction for the operation of a judicial division including supervisory accountability for division staff, volunteers or interns.

Work assignments are designated by the Chief Judge of the judicial district and can require performing judicial duties in any or all of the following areas: criminal, civil, juvenile, domestic relations, probate, traffic and other judicial proceedings. The Magistrate position reports to the Chief Judge of the Judicial District and is not an elected position. A Magistrate serves in a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Essential Functions

• Conducts initial appearance proceedings, including advisement of rights, setting bail, and imposition of conditions of release pending further proceedings
• Conducts bond review hearings
• Conducts preliminary and disposition hearings
• Conducts arraignments on indictments and information
• Conducts probable cause hearings pursuant to the Uniform Act for Out-of-State Parolee Supervision
• Conducts hearings on modification of the terms and conditions of probation or deferred prosecutions and deferred sentences
• Conducts settlement conferences
• Conducts default hearings, including entering judgments and conducting post-judgment proceedings
• Conducts hearings and entering orders authorizing sales under power pursuant to Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure
• Hears motions for temporary and permanent orders for the establishment and modification for child support
• Conducts hearings under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
• Conducts hearings under the Uniform Dissolution of Marriage Act
• Conducts hearings pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act for Child Support
• Conducts hearings of establishment and enforcement
• Conducts proceedings, including hearings, under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
• Conducts proceedings for the enforcement of orders for child support
• Conducts hearings on motions, conducts trials to court, accepts pleas of guilty, and imposes sentences in misdemeanor, petty offense, and traffic offense matters
• Provides determination of motions relating to discovery and the mandatory disclosure requirements
• Conducts deferred prosecution and deferred sentence proceedings in misdemeanor, petty offense, and traffic offense matters
• Conducts misdemeanor and petty offense proceedings pertaining to wildlife, parks and outdoor recreation
• Conducts proceedings pertaining to recreational facilities districts, control and licensing of dogs, campfires, and general regulations
• Conducts proceedings with regard to petitions for name change
• Conducts trials and hearings on motions pursuant to small claims statutory provisions and rules
• Conducts civil trials to court and hearings on motions
• Conducts proceedings involving preliminary or permanent injunctions
• Conducts default hearings, entering judgments and conducting post-judgment proceedings
• Conducts some types of prison inmate litigation
• Conducts proceedings involving temporary restraining orders
• Conducts proceedings in traffic infraction matters
• Presides over all types of cases under the Children's Code including delinquency, dependency and neglect actions, adoptions, relinquishments, truancy and paternity and support proceedings
• Enforces orders in all proceedings by the use of contempt of court when appropriate
• Acts as a master, mediator or arbitrator
• Orders presentence investigations
• Sets cases for disposition, trial, or sentencing before a judge
• Issues arrest and search warrants
• Enters pleas of guilty deferred prosecution and deferred sentence
• Determines motions relating to disclosure and discovery
• Performs any or all of the duties that may be delegated to or performed by a probate registrar, magistrate, or clerk
• Accepts stipulated agreements to pay child support and voluntary acknowledgements of support liability
• Performs solemnization of marriages
• Provides advisements and sets bail in criminal and traffic cases
• Issues restraining orders
• Attends meetings and training as required
• Performs other duties as assigned

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position requires administrative responsibility for the operation of a judicial division including supervisory accountability for division staff, volunteers, or interns. Plans, directs and coordinates activities for a judicial division. Additional duties include scheduling and assigning work, training in all facets of a judicial division's operation, quality control, decision impacting the pay, status and tenure of staff, conducting performance appraisals and providing input into and participating in discipline, hiring and dismissal of staff.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited law school; possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the State of Colorado and eligibility to practice law before the courts of the State of Colorado. Applicants must have at least five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney. For Magistrates hired to perform duties, exception to the experience qualification may apply in Class "C" or "D" counties as defined in Colorado State Statute 13-6-201 regarding Classification of Counties.

Pay

Salary: $174,338.11 (Full Time)

Physical Demands & Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. This position is subject to many interruptions and may be required to handle multiple calls and inquiries at once. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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