Municipal Judge - City

City of Oklahoma City•Oklahoma City, OK

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in Oklahoma City Municipal Court Building at 701 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. The term of this position will commence upon appointment and will expire June 30, 2027, with potential for reappointment to consecutive two (2) year terms thereafter. Municipal Judges, who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council serve two-year terms, are responsible for independently adjudicating cases involving alleged violations of the Municipal Code. This classification requires a thorough knowledge of municipal ordinances and state and federal law, as well as prior experience as a practicing attorney or judge in a court of record in the State of Oklahoma. Municipal Judges must be able to work cooperatively and productively with other Municipal Judges, the Judiciary Committee, Court Administrator, etc. They are also required to participate in judicial and continuing legal education programs designed to increase professional competence and ensure optimal public service. Essential job functions include: promoting public trust and confidence in the administration of justice at the municipal level; ensuring efficient, fair, and impartial adjudication of cases arising from alleged violations of municipal ordinances; issuing warrants and subpoenas; keeping and preserving the records of the Court, certifying transcripts; imposing sentences; administering oaths; enforcing due obedience to all orders, rules, and judgments made by the Court; reviewing defendants' probation files prior to sentencing to ensure that the terms and conditions of probation are met; conducting out-of-court reviews of various dockets prior to court appearances; conducting conferences with defense attorneys and/or representatives of the Municipal Counselor's office as necessary to review Jury Division cases; being on call afterhours, weekends and holidays to handle emergencies at the jail and probable cause affidavits; attending judicial conferences as needed to discuss problems or procedural changes affecting court operations; and performing related duties as required to execute the ordinances and resolutions of the City Council, the Charter, and the Oklahoma Statutes. The appointee functions primarily independently, with work methods reviewed by the Presiding Municipal Judge or the Judiciary Committee for overall success in realizing the desired levels and the achievement of efficient and effective Judicial Division operations. The Council must select and designate a presiding and vice-presiding judge either among incumbent Municipal Judges or specifically hire an individual to serve in the capacity of presiding or vice-presiding Judge, if vacant. Designation as presiding and vice-presiding judge is at the pleasure and discretion of the City Council and such designation may be reassigned at any time. The Presiding Judge, in addition to regular duties as a Municipal Judge, assigns cases to the Municipal Judges, assigns duties to Special Judges, promulgates court rules of procedure, makes recommendations to the Judiciary Committee on candidates for appointment as Special Judges, and performs any such other acts as required to execute the ordinances, resolutions of the Council, the City Charter and state statutes, and designates a list of offenses the fines for which may be received by Oklahoma City Municipal Court.

Requirements

License to practice law in Oklahoma
Minimum of four (4) years’ experience as a practicing attorney or as a judge of a court of record, or combination thereof
Be a registered voter and actual resident of The City of Oklahoma City for at least six (6) months prior to the first day of service.
A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a practicing attorney in the area of criminal law.
Three (3) letters of reference from at least one (1) Judge of the District Court (Federal or State) and at least one (1) member of opposing counsel in a criminal law proceeding.
Be of good moral and ethical standing, legally and financially.
Minimum of four (4) years' experience as a licensed, practicing attorney or judge in a court of record in the State of Oklahoma at the time of appointment.
Possession of a valid Oklahoma license to practice law.
Knowledge of and skill in interpreting and applying municipal ordinances and state and federal laws.
Knowledge of the structure and function of the City organization.
Skill in drafting and revising legal and/or other documents on a personal computer.
Skill in interpreting and relating laws and ordinances to specific court cases.
Skill in rendering fair and impartial judicial verdicts based on the facts and merit of individual court cases.
Skill in verbal and written communication.
Ability and willingness to read and analyze large quantities of legal and case-history information.
Ability to analyze complex legal issues and present findings in a clear, logical, and concise manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from various socio-economic backgrounds.
Willingness to assume responsibility for work performed and decisions made.

Responsibilities

promoting public trust and confidence in the administration of justice at the municipal level
ensuring efficient, fair, and impartial adjudication of cases arising from alleged violations of municipal ordinances
issuing warrants and subpoenas
keeping and preserving the records of the Court, certifying transcripts
imposing sentences
administering oaths
enforcing due obedience to all orders, rules, and judgments made by the Court
reviewing defendants' probation files prior to sentencing to ensure that the terms and conditions of probation are met
conducting out-of-court reviews of various dockets prior to court appearances
conducting conferences with defense attorneys and/or representatives of the Municipal Counselor's office as necessary to review Jury Division cases
being on call afterhours, weekends and holidays to handle emergencies at the jail and probable cause affidavits
attending judicial conferences as needed to discuss problems or procedural changes affecting court operations
performing related duties as required to execute the ordinances and resolutions of the City Council, the Charter, and the Oklahoma Statutes