Magistrate (P/T)

About the Department

SUMMARY 

Acts as the Jail Magistrate and sets bonds, determines probable cause, conducts examining trials, issues emergency protective orders, issues ignition interlock orders and adjudicates minor misdemeanor cases not involving jail or penitentiary sentences. Magistrate may exercise concurrent criminal jurisdiction with the Justice of the Peace to dispose as provided by law of cases filed in the precinct(s) of the authorizing Justice of the Peace, except for trial on the merits following a plea of not guilty.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:

• Performs primarily as Jail Magistrate, or as otherwise directed by District Court or County Court-at-Law Courts.
• Conducts preliminary inquiry in felony and misdemeanor cases to determine whether there is probable cause to hold defendant for further proceedings or trial by District or County Court-at-Law courts.
• Magistrate is authorized to:

• Set, adjust, and revoke bonds before the filing of an information or return of indictment
• Conduct examining trials
• Determine whether a defendant is indigent and appoint counsel for indigent defendants
• Issue search and arrest warrants
• Issue emergency protective orders

• Magistrate may:

• Issue notices of the settings of a case for a hearing
• Conduct hearings
• Hear evidence
• Issue summons for the appearance of witnesses
• Swear witnesses for hearings
• Regulate proceedings in a hearing
• Perform any act and take any measure necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the magistrate’s jurisdiction and authority, or as assigned by the Districts Courts or County Courts-at-Law.

• Requires regular attendance, Mon-Fri, in the mornings at the Jail, not to exceed 18 hours per week unless approved, in advance, by the County Judge.  Also requires participation in weekend rotation of magistrates approximately one weekend per month as assigned by the County Judge.
• Prepares and submits all filings as required.

Note:  The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is assigned by District or County Court-at-Law Courts.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High School diploma or GED equivalent required; Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university preferred; at least five (5) years’ experience in courtroom operations or previous experience as certified Justice of the Peace or Magistrate is required.  The individual should possess a thorough working knowledge of court administrative procedures and practices.  Other specialized job requirements include the ability to effectively and accurately monitor cases.  Must complete and maintain equivalent CEU requirements for a Justice of The Peace (80 hours in the first year, 20 hours each year thereafter) through the Texas Justice Court Training Center.

Other Qualifications

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. 

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  

REASONING ABILITY 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is a sedentary position.  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Office space will be at the Jail.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.