Alternate Judge

Town of Flower Mound•Flower Mound TX 75028, TX

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Alternate Judge serves as an independent contractor and is appointed by the Town Council. This position serves as needed to support Municipal Court operations and magisterial functions, ensuring the efficient administration of justice and continuity of court services. The Alternate Judge conducts court proceedings in the absence of the Presiding Judge, performs magistrate duties as authorized by Texas law, issues warrants and related judicial orders, and provides fair and impartial adjudication of matters within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
Licensed attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
United States citizen and resident of the State of Texas.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience practicing law in Texas.
Ability to perform judicial and magisterial functions in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.
Availability to serve on an as-needed basis, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and after-hours warrant and jail-related duties.
Must be able to read, write, talk, see, hear, and operate various office equipment.
Ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.
Thorough knowledge of Texas criminal and municipal law.
Ability to maintain courtroom control while treating all parties with professionalism and respect.
Ability to interpret statutes, ordinances, case law, and legal precedents.
Ability to evaluate facts, evidence, and legal arguments and render decisions in accordance with the law.
Strong organizational, decision-making, and time-management skills.
Ability to adapt to changing legal requirements and court procedures.
Proficiency with modern court technology and electronic case management systems.

Nice To Haves

Substantial municipal court and magistrate experience who can immediately contribute in a fast-paced and complex court environment.
Four (4) or more years of municipal court and magisterial experience.
Experience serving as a municipal judge, associate judge, alternate judge, or magistrate in a medium to large Texas municipality.
Extensive knowledge of Texas municipal court operations, criminal procedure, evidence, and judicial ethics.
Experience conducting high-volume dockets, motion hearings, bench trials, and jury trials.
Ability to analyze complex legal issues and make sound judicial decisions under time sensitive conditions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court personnel, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, elected officials, and the public.
Experience using municipal court and justice-related software systems, including Tyler Municipal Justice, Video Magistrate, LEADRS, or similar systems.

Responsibilities

Preside over jury and non-jury trials involving Class C misdemeanors, traffic violations, ordinance violations, juvenile matters, and other cases within the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.
Conduct arraignments, plea dockets, show-cause hearings, warrant dockets, and special settings as assigned.
Interpret and apply municipal ordinances, Texas statutes, judicial decisions, and rules of criminal procedure.
Perform magisterial functions pursuant to Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
Review probable cause affidavits and supporting documentation and determine whether arrest warrants, search warrants, or other judicial orders should be issued.
Set bail and bond conditions in accordance with applicable law and constitutional requirements.
Review defendant criminal history and other legally authorized information when making bail determinations.
Issue warrants, writs, commitments, emergency protective orders, and related judicial documents as authorized by law.
Adjudicate cases in a fair, impartial, and efficient manner while maintaining decorum and control of court proceedings.
Provide coverage for the Presiding Judge during scheduled absences, conflicts, training, vacations, and other periods as assigned.
Maintain continuing judicial education and remain informed regarding developments in municipal court law and procedure.
Work collaboratively with court staff, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, prosecutors, and community stakeholders while preserving judicial independence.