Municipal Court Judge

City of Friendswood•Friendswood, TX

16h

About The Position

The Municipal Court Judge adjudicates fine-only criminal cases arising under city ordinances and state law, serves as a magistrate under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and presides over the Friendswood Municipal Court’s dockets within the limits of municipal-court jurisdiction. The Friendswood Municipal Court is not a court of record. The City Council appoints the judge to two-year terms commencing July 1 of each even-numbered year. The judge presides over court and jail dockets, conducts trials and hearings, adjudicates Class C misdemeanors, issues warrants and court orders, and performs magistrate duties. The position coordinates with associate judges and municipal court personnel to support the efficient operation of the court, responds to police department needs in exigent circumstances, and complies with the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.

Requirements

Be a licensed attorney in Texas and in good standing.
Meet the minimum mandatory continuing education requirements for Municipal Court Judges established by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Have at least five years of legal experience, including service as a municipal court judge (presiding or associate) or as a prosecutor.
Be available for a 24-hour on-call schedule and after-hours duties, sometimes with short notice.

Responsibilities

Preside over municipal court and jail dockets, including plea or arraignment, non-jury, and jury dockets as scheduled or needed.
Conduct trials, arraignments, administrative hearings, and juvenile hearings.
Adjudicate guilt or innocence in cases involving Class C misdemeanors and assess punishment.
Sign and issue warrants and court orders.
Issue written and oral instructions and opinions.
Issue Emergency Protective Orders for all family violence arrests and conduct modification hearings for those orders.
Conduct daily magistrate warnings for misdemeanors and felonies and make appropriate rulings regarding bonds.
Sign off on blood search warrants.
Perform court duties at established dockets and as assigned by the Director of Municipal Court, coordinating with associate judges serving in the judge’s absence.
Consult with associate judges, city prosecutors, and the Director of Municipal Court on methods and procedures to improve court operations and promote speedy and efficient justice.
Respond to the Police Department in exigent circumstances to perform magistrate duties, issue and process warrants, and administer bail and bond matters.
Furnish periodic reports about work or services related to the position when requested by the Mayor or City Manager.
Adhere to the canons of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct and notify the City Council as soon as reasonably practical of inquiries or investigations by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Perform all other duties required of a municipal court judge.
Be available for varied hours, including evenings, before or after normal business hours, weekends, and holidays, and maintain 24-hour on-call availability for court and police department needs, including during emergency conditions.