Associate Judge or Magistrate

Austin, TX - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 3 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Job Summary

Presides over hearings and other matters referred by the Travis County District Judges primarily regarding criminal particular this position will handle mental health matters including competency hearings as well as expunctions pleas and other hearings sent by the District Courts. Additionally this position will manage the Travis County Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA) program as well as the CAFA Associate Judges. Travis County provides defense attorneys to arrested persons during the magistration process and prosecution attends magistration to give their input on new cases.

This position will serve as a Magistrate Judge to the District Courts holding dockets every day of the week and be available to conduct hearings all day. This position will be expected to be in court at the Criminal Justice Center every weekday Monday through Friday.

The start date for this position is April 16th 2025.

Duties and Responsibilities

Performs other job-related duties as assigned including:

Handling criminal cases and other low-level offenses like traffic violations
Issuing arrest warrants search warrants and civil or criminal summonses
Setting bail bond or other release conditions for accused parties in criminal cases
Holding preliminary hearings for certain cases
Presiding over examination hearings after evaluating evidence
Administering oaths to witnesses suspects and attorneys
Developing reports and recommendations for higher court judges in upcoming cases
Issuing emergency protective orders
Preparing dockets and subpoenas for court
Reminding defendants of their rights
Accepting pleas
Processing and accepting payments of bonds
Uploading filings orders and notices into an electronic case management system
Handling post-trial matters like international prisoner transfers or habeas corpus hearings
Presiding over jury selection for trials
Presiding over arraignments
Serving on court committees
Presiding over naturalization ceremonies

Minimum Requirements

J. D./LL.B. from an accredited law school and must have been a practicing lawyer or judge or both for the five (5) years preceding the appointment as a Criminal Magistrate Judge during which time law license cannot have been revoked suspended or subject to a probated suspension. Must be a resident of the State of Texas and Travis County for two (2) years preceding the appointment. Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas for at least five (5) years.

Preferred:
Knowledge and experience as an attorney or judge in magistration process understanding and or training in mental health and criminal law generally.
Have been a practicing lawyer or judge or both for the eight (8) years preceding the appointment as a Magistrate Judge during which time law license cannot have been revoked suspended or subject to a probated suspension.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Criminal Law as an attorney or judge.
Constitutional statutory and case law and rules relating to judicial procedures rules of evidence and operations of Travis County Criminal Courts.
Management principles and practices.
Area of law assigned.
Business English grammar punctuation.
Microsoft Office Suite software.

Skill in:

Problem solving and decision-making.
Analyzing and appraising facts policies procedures and legal precedents in area of specialty.
Both verbal and written communication including presentations.

Ability to:

Conduct legal research and analysis both manually and electronically.
Motivate train supervise and evaluate staff.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Handle stressful court environment and client/customer contact for extended periods of time.

Work Environment & Other Information

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Hours: Varies depending on assignments but will regularly work Monday through Friday in-person at the Courthouse.

Department: Criminal Courts

Location:Blackwell-Thurman CJC 509 W. 11th Austin TX 78701

Criminal & Employment Background Check Required

For updates or questions on this position contact:

Required Experience:

Job SummaryPresides over hearings and other matters referred by the Travis County District Judges primarily regarding criminal particular this position will handle mental health matters including competency hearings as well as expunctions pleas and other hearings sent by the District Courts. Additi...