(PART-TIME – NO BENEFITS) CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATE COURT – CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Minimum Qualifications

This part-time position requires shift rotations 24/7, holidays and weekends and is not eligible for benefits.

Acceptable Experience and Education
Graduation from an accredited law school. Must have at least four (4) years of experience as a practicing attorney. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Texas for at least four (4) years; with two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Certificates and Licenses Required
Must have valid Texas Bar license.

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a good driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Please note, this position does require shift work to include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Substantive Magistrate Duties:
Schedules and holds prehearings and hearings and concludes them expeditiously; conducts hearings involving varied legal, procedural, and technical issues;

Analyzes testimony and other evidence, applying all pertinent law, rules and policies to a case;

Rules on discovery disputes, scheduling requests, and motions; rules on a pretrial motions;
Administers oaths; hears evidence; compels production of relevant evidence; rules on admissibility of evidence;

Complies and maintains records of evidence, ensures proper handling of matters for appeal, confidentiality and other considerations;

Issues summons for the appearance of witnesses, orders and writs; Formulates and makes oral and written findings of fact and conclusions of law and recommends the rulings, orders or judgments to be made in criminal matters;

Accepts pleas of guilty from defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses;

Issues writs of injunction and all other writs necessary for the enforcement of the jurisdiction of the court and may issue misdemeanor writs of habeas corpus in cases in which the offense charged is within the jurisdiction of the court or of any other court of inferior jurisdiction in the County;

Has contempt, both direct and indirect, powers for all matters within the court;

Gives preference to magistrate duties; however, has all other powers, duties, immunities, and privileges provided by law for (1) justices of the peace when acting in a Class C misdemeanor case; (2) County Court judges when acting in a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case; and (3) District Court Judges when acting in a felony case;

May hold indigency hearings and capias pro fine hearings;

May release a defendant under Article 17.031, Code of Criminal Court Procedure, under guidelines established by the Council of Judges;

May transfer between courts a case that is pending in the criminal law magistrate court’s jurisdiction if the case is (1) an unindicted felony case; (2) a Class A or Class B misdemeanor case if an information has not been filed; or (3) a Class C misdemeanor case;

Performs acts and takes measures necessary for the efficient performance of the duties required by the order of referral;

Conforms to court policies regarding ex parte communications and ethics matters;

Prepares and submits data and/or reports as necessary;

Leads by example while representing the organization by maintaining personal integrity and professional ethics; and

Promotes a work culture that is sensitive and responsive to the needs, interests, and values of the organization.

General Expectations:
Commits to providing excellent customer service and demonstrates commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

Contributes to a high quality work culture through participation in training and mentoring to develop skills, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned;

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment; and

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
The Criminal Law Magistrate Judge performs a variety of judicial duties in the El Paso County Criminal Courts including deciding the merits of cases, hearing and evaluating evidence and witness credibility, analyzing laws and rules, making findings of fact and conclusions of law and issuing oral or written decisions and orders to resolve issues in criminal matters. The incumbent works independently, subject to administrative approval, leading and managing the criminal law magistrate court, and is responsible for scheduling and overseeing the daily operations of the other Criminal Law Magistrate Judges, and supervising staff as necessary.

Additional Information
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: Federal, State and Local applicable laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, rules, policies and procedures regarding Criminal Law Magistrate Courts; working knowledge of the Odyssey software, principles, methods and practices of public administration, municipal finance, accounting and budget.

Skills/Ability to: communicate effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds and educational levels, make sound decisions in a timely manner based upon legal knowledge and experience, exercise excellent interpersonal, managerial and administrative skills; handle public scrutiny; lead and motivate subordinates; complete projects on time and within budget; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to include email; analyze and evaluate information; develop and write policies; employ work measurement techniques and conduct studies and research with minimal supervision; analyze operations and recommend improved efficiencies within a local government environment; explain technical financial projections, analyses, budgetary, and accounting problems in a simple, non-technical language; exercise appropriate judgment, determine needs, gather, analyze, evaluate, and present data and recommendations; operate computer, using standard word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software to include Odyssey; schedule, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other county employees and the general public; commit to providing excellent customer service; compile and present statistical information; prepare and present clear and concise reports and policies; and keep accurate records. Bilingual in Spanish is preferred; Pass a Background Check.