Court Magistrate
About The Position
Performs work in accordance with the Alabama Criminal Code, Alabama Motor Vehicle Laws and local ordinances; hears complaints brought by law enforcement officials or the general public to determine probable cause for issuing warrants, sets and grants bail; ensures all defendants meet their due process requirements; takes depositions, subpoena witnesses; verifies correctness of information on complaints; conducts arraignment and sets non guilty pleas for trial; calls the docket; grants continuances; processes traffic citations, (manually and electronically); enters information onto court case management software in a “paperless” environment; prepares court cases for court sessions, receives guilty pleas in accordance to Rule 20; collects fines, fees, and costs and enters payments onto court software; processes appeals properly to file in Circuit Court; confers with law enforcement; prosecution; defense attorneys and judges regarding questions of law, rule and procedure; performs legal research for all aspects of the court and makes appropriate recommendations; answers inquiries concerning laws and ordinances, and violations thereof; researches cases for final disposition; files, scans all documents pertaining to Municipal Court cases; performs related work under Rule 18, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration; ability to comprehend laws and court documents; writing skills to compose correspondence, completes reports and forms; computer data entry and retrieval or other related work as required.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, or a closely related field AND One (1) year of experience in a judicial environment where knowledge of the processes and language of court room procedures was acquired OR in lieu of court room experience, one (1) year or more of demonstrated high level, progressive, administrative experience may be considered.
- OR Associate's Degree or higher (or equivalent credit hours) in Criminal Justice or a related field AND Three (3) years or more of experience in a judicial environment where knowledge of the processes and language of courtroom procedures was acquired.
- OR High School Diploma/GED or higher AND Five (5) years or more of full-time experience in a judicial environment.
- Magistrate Certification by the Administrative Office of Courts/Alabama Judicial College is preferred prior to employment, but enrollment is required within six months and completion within three years from date of employment.
- Must comply with "on call" schedule.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, non-standard hours, weekends and holidays when scheduled.
- Possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to obtain/maintain a City of Hoover's Driver's Permit.
Nice To Haves
- Ability to read, write and converse in Spanish
- Possession of Magistrate Certification
Responsibilities
- Performs work in accordance with the Alabama Criminal Code, Alabama Motor Vehicle Laws and local ordinances
- Hears complaints brought by law enforcement officials or the general public to determine probable cause for issuing warrants
- Sets and grants bail
- Ensures all defendants meet their due process requirements
- Takes depositions
- Subpoena witnesses
- Verifies correctness of information on complaints
- Conducts arraignment and sets non guilty pleas for trial
- Calls the docket
- Grants continuances
- Processes traffic citations, (manually and electronically)
- Enters information onto court case management software in a “paperless” environment
- Prepares court cases for court sessions
- Receives guilty pleas in accordance to Rule 20
- Collects fines, fees, and costs and enters payments onto court software
- Processes appeals properly to file in Circuit Court
- Confers with law enforcement; prosecution; defense attorneys and judges regarding questions of law, rule and procedure
- Performs legal research for all aspects of the court and makes appropriate recommendations
- Answers inquiries concerning laws and ordinances, and violations thereof
- Researches cases for final disposition
- Files, scans all documents pertaining to Municipal Court cases
- Performs related work under Rule 18, Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration
- Ability to comprehend laws and court documents
- Writing skills to compose correspondence, completes reports and forms
- Computer data entry and retrieval or other related work as required
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
