Magistrate I

Summary

Certified Municipal Court Magistrate

This position performs a variety of judicial duties as a Certified Municipal Court Magistrate.

Major duties include:

• Hearing complaints from citizens and determining probable cause
• Entering court records data from source documents
• Assisting in the courtroom, including calling the docket and recording case adjudication
• Balancing cash drawer daily and making daily deposits
• Preparing dockets and applicable documents for court
• Writing commitment orders and computing jail time
• Responding to after-hours calls when on-call
• Processing trials, issuing subpoenas to witnesses, and acquiring all required documentation
• Calculating and accepting fine and court payments
• Preparing daily docket of inmates
• Researching case law and statutes to ensure proper charges are applied
• Reviewing and processing incoming correspondence for the Judge's attention
• Preparing legal and non-legal court documents and forms
• Conducting Conditions of Release hearings with defendants arrested for domestic violence offenses

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the position include:

• Knowledge of Municipal Court policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Knowledge of the Code of Alabama
• Knowledge of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinances
• Knowledge of legal forms, documents, and terminology
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work
• Skill in problem solving
• Skill in interpersonal relations
• Skill in dealing with the public
• Skill in oral and written communication

The Municipal Court Administrator assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the results.

Guidelines include the Dothan Code of Ordinances, the Code of Alabama, and Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

The work consists of related Magistrate duties. Strict deadlines and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the position.

The purpose of this position is to provide support for the operations of the Municipal Court. Successful performance contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of court operations.

Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, judges, attorneys, other court personnel, defendants, victims, witnesses, and members of the public. Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, justify matters, and provide services.

The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects and climbs ladders. The work is typically performed in an office and courtroom.

Supervisory and management responsibility: None.

Job Description

Certified Municipal Court Magistrate

This position performs a variety of judicial duties as a Certified Municipal Court Magistrate.

Major duties include:

• Hearing complaints from citizens and determining probable cause
• Entering court records data from source documents
• Assisting in the courtroom, including calling the docket and recording case adjudication
• Balancing cash drawer daily and making daily deposits
• Preparing dockets and applicable documents for court
• Writing commitment orders and computing jail time
• Responding to after-hours calls when on-call
• Processing trials, issuing subpoenas to witnesses, and acquiring all required documentation
• Calculating and accepting fine and court payments
• Preparing daily docket of inmates
• Researching case law and statutes to ensure proper charges are applied
• Reviewing and processing incoming correspondence for the Judge's attention
• Preparing legal and non-legal court documents and forms
• Conducting Conditions of Release hearings with defendants arrested for domestic violence offenses

Knowledge, skills, and abilities required by the position include:

• Knowledge of Municipal Court policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure
• Knowledge of the Code of Alabama
• Knowledge of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinances
• Knowledge of legal forms, documents, and terminology
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work
• Skill in problem solving
• Skill in interpersonal relations
• Skill in dealing with the public
• Skill in oral and written communication

The Municipal Court Administrator assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the results.

Guidelines include the Dothan Code of Ordinances, the Code of Alabama, and Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

The work consists of related Magistrate duties. Strict deadlines and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the position.

The purpose of this position is to provide support for the operations of the Municipal Court. Successful performance contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of court operations.

Contacts are typically with co-workers, other city employees, judges, attorneys, other court personnel, defendants, victims, witnesses, and members of the public. Contacts are typically to exchange information, resolve problems, justify matters, and provide services.

The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and heavy objects and climbs ladders. The work is typically performed in an office and courtroom.

Supervisory and management responsibility: None.