ASSOCIATE JUDGE

Summary

Jail Magistrate Judge

Performs judicial and magisterial duties involving persons arrested and detained in the County Jail. Conducts magistration proceedings in accordance with the Texas Constitution, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, applicable provisions of the Texas Family Code and Government Code, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reviews arrest information and other legally relevant information; advises arrested persons of statutory and constitutional rights; determines eligibility for release and sets bail and conditions of release within the authority granted by law; issues and signs warrants, orders, and other authorized judicial process; conducts hearings; and performs other judicial functions assigned by law or by the appointing authority.

Essential Functions

• Perform timely jail magistration under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.17 of arrested individuals detained in the County Jail, including proceedings conducted in person or in special circumstances by authorized videoconference.
• Set bail, conditions of bond, Emergency Protective Orders and other ancillary orders as required during the magistrate process.
• Reviews arrest affidavits, probable-cause information, warrants, charging documents, criminal-history information, and other materials presented for consideration during magistration proceedings.
• Advises arrested persons, in clear language, of applicable rights and statutory warnings. Texas law requires these warnings to be provided without unnecessary delay and generally no later than 48 hours after arrest.
• Makes individualized bail determinations based upon applicable statutory and constitutional requirements and considers legally required factors in determining the appropriate form and amount of bail and any conditions of release.
• Imposes legally authorized conditions of release when appropriate, including conditions designed to reasonably ensure the defendant's appearance and protect the community, law enforcement, and victims.
• Issues, signs, modifies, recalls, and/or executes warrants, orders, commitments, releases, and other judicial process within the scope of the position's lawful authority.
• Ensures that bail determinations are sufficiently supported by the information available at the time of magistration and that required bail forms, findings, conditions, and supporting documentation are complete and accurate, thereby reducing the need for corrective action, clarification, or subsequent bail review.
• When authorized, accepts pleas, determines fines and costs, credits time served, and discharges defendants in applicable fine-only cases.
• Ensures that orders and other judicial documents are properly executed, distributed, and filed with the appropriate court, jail, law-enforcement agency, or other governmental entity.
• Review mental health questionnaires and supporting documentation carefully.
• Coordinates with pretrial personnel, Sheriff's Office personnel, jail administration, prosecutors, defense counsel, court personnel, law-enforcement agencies, and other governmental entities as necessary to facilitate timely and lawful magistration.
• Participates in the County's established blood warrant rotation and remains available to review and act upon requests for blood or other evidentiary search warrants during assigned rotation periods, including nights, weekends, holidays, and other non-business hours.
• Accesses, utilizes and enters data into the Texas Public Safety Report System (PSRS) as required by Texas law in connection with bail determinations and magistration proceedings.
• Reviews and considers information available through the PSRS when making bail determinations for applicable offenses.
• Completes all required bail forms electronically and accurately documents the bail type, amount, conditions of bail, and required certifications.
• Maintains proficiency in the use of the PSRS and completes required training or system updates necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Remains current regarding changes in Texas statutes, court rules, case law, judicial procedures, and other legal requirements affecting magistration and bail.
• Completes all training and continuing-education requirements applicable to the position. Texas law specifically establishes training requirements concerning magistrates' duties relating to bail.
• Maintains professional competence and complies with applicable judicial ethics requirements, including requirements concerning impartiality, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by law or the appointing authority.
• The Jail Magistrate Judge is also responsible for maintaining appropriate activity records and providing an annual report to the Board of Criminal Judges regarding the operation and workload of the Jail Magistrate function, including activity trends, workload measures, statutory compliance, and recommendations for operational improvements.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Required:

• Applicant must be a Law school graduate and be licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas and in good standing

Required:

• Be a resident of McLennan County and the State of Texas
• Must have been licensed to practice law in Texas for at least five (5) years
• One year experience in County and District Criminal Courts
• Obtain TLETS (Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) ID, and take the 8 hours TLETS/TCIC Mobile Access Training, pass the test, and become TLETS certified.
• Take the CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Service) 2 hour Security Awareness Training and pass exam.
• Complete the 8 hour Judicial Education course for setting bail within 90 days from taking office.
• Proficiency in the electronic systems necessary to perform the duties of the position, including the Texas Public Safety Report System, electronic court and case-management systems, criminal-history information systems, electronic document systems, videoconferencing platforms, and standard office productivity software.
• Working effectively with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, law-enforcement officers, jail and court personnel, defendants, victims, and the public.
• The Jail Magistrate Judge shall not engage in the private practice of law or provide legal services in a private capacity during the period of appointment or employment in this position.

Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community. Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large. Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public.

Supplemental Information

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to work under time pressures to meet deadlines; the employee must frequently change tasks, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and work closely with others as part of a team. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Majority of work is indoors in office environment. Work at the jail includes contact with inmates without close supervision from the correctional officers. Continuous contact in the office with the public and persons accused or convicted of crimes. PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS: Some light lifting, bending, standing, walking and prolonged sitting. Vision (ability to read police reports and normal printed material), understandable coherent speech and hearing. HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: The position works Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on-call rotation to include nights, weekends and holidays. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. DISCLAIMER: McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Benefits

McLennan County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical with an option to open a Health Saving Account (HSA) with a County-paid contribution of $2000 over a year. We offer dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life and long & short term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care accounts. Employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) with a $2.50 County match for every $1.00 of employee contribution. In addition to these benefits we offer 12 paid holidays and a free gym membership program for health plan participants. *Note: These benefits are for full time McLennan County employees only. Part time Mclennan County employees are only eligible to participate in the Retirement System. Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees recieve a different benefit package through the state.

Job Description

Jail Magistrate Judge

Performs judicial and magisterial duties involving persons arrested and detained in the County Jail. Conducts magistration proceedings in accordance with the Texas Constitution, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, applicable provisions of the Texas Family Code and Government Code, and other applicable federal, state, and local laws. Reviews arrest information and other legally relevant information; advises arrested persons of statutory and constitutional rights; determines eligibility for release and sets bail and conditions of release within the authority granted by law; issues and signs warrants, orders, and other authorized judicial process; conducts hearings; and performs other judicial functions assigned by law or by the appointing authority.

Essential Functions

• Perform timely jail magistration under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.17 of arrested individuals detained in the County Jail, including proceedings conducted in person or in special circumstances by authorized videoconference.
• Set bail, conditions of bond, Emergency Protective Orders and other ancillary orders as required during the magistrate process.
• Reviews arrest affidavits, probable-cause information, warrants, charging documents, criminal-history information, and other materials presented for consideration during magistration proceedings.
• Advises arrested persons, in clear language, of applicable rights and statutory warnings. Texas law requires these warnings to be provided without unnecessary delay and generally no later than 48 hours after arrest.
• Makes individualized bail determinations based upon applicable statutory and constitutional requirements and considers legally required factors in determining the appropriate form and amount of bail and any conditions of release.
• Imposes legally authorized conditions of release when appropriate, including conditions designed to reasonably ensure the defendant's appearance and protect the community, law enforcement, and victims.
• Issues, signs, modifies, recalls, and/or executes warrants, orders, commitments, releases, and other judicial process within the scope of the position's lawful authority.
• Ensures that bail determinations are sufficiently supported by the information available at the time of magistration and that required bail forms, findings, conditions, and supporting documentation are complete and accurate, thereby reducing the need for corrective action, clarification, or subsequent bail review.
• When authorized, accepts pleas, determines fines and costs, credits time served, and discharges defendants in applicable fine-only cases.
• Ensures that orders and other judicial documents are properly executed, distributed, and filed with the appropriate court, jail, law-enforcement agency, or other governmental entity.
• Review mental health questionnaires and supporting documentation carefully.
• Coordinates with pretrial personnel, Sheriff's Office personnel, jail administration, prosecutors, defense counsel, court personnel, law-enforcement agencies, and other governmental entities as necessary to facilitate timely and lawful magistration.
• Participates in the County's established blood warrant rotation and remains available to review and act upon requests for blood or other evidentiary search warrants during assigned rotation periods, including nights, weekends, holidays, and other non-business hours.
• Accesses, utilizes and enters data into the Texas Public Safety Report System (PSRS) as required by Texas law in connection with bail determinations and magistration proceedings.
• Reviews and considers information available through the PSRS when making bail determinations for applicable offenses.
• Completes all required bail forms electronically and accurately documents the bail type, amount, conditions of bail, and required certifications.
• Maintains proficiency in the use of the PSRS and completes required training or system updates necessary to perform the duties of the position.
• Remains current regarding changes in Texas statutes, court rules, case law, judicial procedures, and other legal requirements affecting magistration and bail.
• Completes all training and continuing-education requirements applicable to the position. Texas law specifically establishes training requirements concerning magistrates' duties relating to bail.
• Maintains professional competence and complies with applicable judicial ethics requirements, including requirements concerning impartiality, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and professional conduct.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by law or the appointing authority.
• The Jail Magistrate Judge is also responsible for maintaining appropriate activity records and providing an annual report to the Board of Criminal Judges regarding the operation and workload of the Jail Magistrate function, including activity trends, workload measures, statutory compliance, and recommendations for operational improvements.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION: Required:

• Applicant must be a Law school graduate and be licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas and in good standing

Required:

• Be a resident of McLennan County and the State of Texas
• Must have been licensed to practice law in Texas for at least five (5) years
• One year experience in County and District Criminal Courts
• Obtain TLETS (Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System) ID, and take the 8 hours TLETS/TCIC Mobile Access Training, pass the test, and become TLETS certified.
• Take the CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Service) 2 hour Security Awareness Training and pass exam.
• Complete the 8 hour Judicial Education course for setting bail within 90 days from taking office.
• Proficiency in the electronic systems necessary to perform the duties of the position, including the Texas Public Safety Report System, electronic court and case-management systems, criminal-history information systems, electronic document systems, videoconferencing platforms, and standard office productivity software.
• Working effectively with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, law-enforcement officers, jail and court personnel, defendants, victims, and the public.
• The Jail Magistrate Judge shall not engage in the private practice of law or provide legal services in a private capacity during the period of appointment or employment in this position.

Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community. Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large. Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public.

Supplemental Information

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to work under time pressures to meet deadlines; the employee must frequently change tasks, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and work closely with others as part of a team. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Majority of work is indoors in office environment. Work at the jail includes contact with inmates without close supervision from the correctional officers. Continuous contact in the office with the public and persons accused or convicted of crimes. PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS: Some light lifting, bending, standing, walking and prolonged sitting. Vision (ability to read police reports and normal printed material), understandable coherent speech and hearing. HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: The position works Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on-call rotation to include nights, weekends and holidays. LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. DISCLAIMER: McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Benefits

McLennan County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical with an option to open a Health Saving Account (HSA) with a County-paid contribution of $2000 over a year. We offer dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life and long & short term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care accounts. Employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) with a $2.50 County match for every $1.00 of employee contribution. In addition to these benefits we offer 12 paid holidays and a free gym membership program for health plan participants. *Note: These benefits are for full time McLennan County employees only. Part time Mclennan County employees are only eligible to participate in the Retirement System. Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees recieve a different benefit package through the state.