Associate Judge - Central Booking

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited school of law, plus two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney in the State of Texas.
• Residency in the City of Austin for a period of not less than two (2) years immediately preceding appointment is required.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Member in good standing State Bar of Texas.

Notes to Applicants
To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here.

The work of the court

Please note that all court settings are open to the public.

The Municipal Court is the judicial branch of local government, the City of Austin. The court commits to administering fair, efficient, and prompt justice. Court services are handled both onsite and online, or by telephone, email, and mail.

The court decides the lowest level criminal offenses in the state of Texas, including traffic, city ordinance, juvenile, and disabled parking.

The court also:

• Collaborates with community court
• Processes citizen complaints
• Presides over bench and jury trials
• Processes parking citations
• Responds to requests for public information
• Explains options when:
  • delinquent cases are sent to the collection agency
  • delinquent cases cause a juvenile or minor’s driver’s license renewal to be denied
  • you are accused of a violating class C law in Austin, even if you don’t live here
  • you can’t comply with court orders
  
  
  

Our Youth Services Unit:

• Helps juveniles and their families understand what they need to do to comply with court orders and/or program requirements.
• Provides educational alternative sentencing and deferral options that, if successfully completed, keep a charge off a juvenile’s record.

The City of Austin is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable benefits that assist employees in being physically and mentally healthy. This includes low cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Click here to review the City of Austin’s Employee Benefits Guide.

To learn more about working with the City of Austin, click here to watch a short video!

Application Details:
A detailed, complete City of Austin employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications. For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please be thorough in completing the employment application and list all experience that is relevant to this position.

This position is open until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply no later than May 17, 2024 for optimum consideration.

This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Nights, weekends, and other shifts.

Work location will be at the Travis County Central Booking Facility.

Municipal Court operations are 24/7. Schedule and location may change based on business needs.
Job Close Date Type of Posting External Department Municipal Court Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 500 W. 10th St. Austin, TX 78701 Preferred Qualifications
The Ideal Candidate:

The Ideal Candidate excels in handling criminal case appeals, collaborating with community courts, and addressing citizen complaints. They possess expertise in trials, parking citations, and responding to public information requests, skillfully explaining options for delinquencies, juvenile license matters, class C law violations in Austin, and court order challenges. Committed to justice within our Youth Services Unit, they provide educational alternatives to prevent charges from appearing on juvenile records.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

Legal Knowledge and Application - Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of judicial procedures, civil and criminal law, municipal codes, and relevant state laws, applying this knowledge to interpret and navigate complex legal issues in accordance with Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances.

Effective Communication - Exhibits strong oral and written communication skills to convey legal information clearly and persuasively, fostering positive relationships with City employees and the public while handling conflicts and uncertain situations with professionalism.

Organizational and Analytical Skills - Applies exceptional organizational skills to handle multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt to changes in priorities, utilizing analytical skills for data analysis and effective problem-solving in legal matters.

Conflict Resolution and Adaptability - Demonstrates the ability to handle conflicts and uncertain situations with poise, promoting resolution and maintaining a positive work environment, while showcasing adaptability to changes in priorities and interruptions.

Equity and Inclusion Applies an equity lens and framework to promote inclusive, diverse, and safe workspaces and programs, integrating a commitment to fairness and diversity into decision making processes and legal practices.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Determines whether probable cause is present in arrest and search warrants for all levels of criminal offenses. Reviews and administers applicable legislation. Reviews information from Pre-Trial and the State of Texas Public Safety Reporting System regarding consideration of personal recognizance (non-cash) bonds and makes determinations. Determines bail amounts and bond conditions as appropriate. Performs duties of a magistrate enumerated in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 15.17. Presides over Counsel at First Appearance (“CAFA”) dockets as the program becomes active.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Limited supervision of courtroom staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of judicial procedures.
• Knowledge of civil and criminal law.
• Knowledge of the Municipal codes and State laws.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances as it applies to this position.
• Knowledge of City practice, policy, and procedures.
• Skill in effective oral and/or written communication.
• Skill in organizing, interpreting and applying legal principles to complex legal problems.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to apply an equity lens and framework to promote inclusive, diverse, and safe workspaces and programs.
• Ability to integrate a commitment to fairness and diversity into decision-making processes and legal practices.
• Ability to apply knowledge of criminal/civil law.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires Graduation from an accredited school of law plus two (2) years of experience as a practicing attorney in the state of Texas. Residency in the City of Austin for a period of not less than two (2) immediately preceding appointment. Do you meet these requirements

• Yes
• No

* Are you a member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas?

• Yes
• No

* How many years of experience do you have practicing criminal law?
(Open Ended Question)
* How many pre-trial hearings have you first (1st) chaired?
(Open Ended Question)
* Have you appeared before the Austin Municipal Court or another Municipal Court?

• Yes
• No

* Describe any experience you have had appearing before the Austin Municipal Court or another municipal court?
(Open Ended Question)
* Are you board certified in criminal law?

• Yes
• No

* List any significant criminal law CLE's you have attended in the last two years.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have any experience working with pro se defendants in criminal matters?

• Yes
• No

* Describe any experience you have working with pro se defendants in criminal matters.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have experience examining probable cause?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience examining probable cause.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your familiarity of criminal procedure and the penal code.
(Open Ended Question)
* Have you 1st chaired any criminal jury trials?

• Yes
• No

* How many criminal jury trials have you 1st chaired?
(Open Ended Question)
* Have you 1st chaired any criminal bench trials?

• Yes
• No

* How many criminal bench trials have you 1st chaired?
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your knowledge and training with the Judicial Cannons of Conduct as applicable to municipal court judges.
(Open Ended Question)
* If selected for this position, do you intend to practice criminal law outside of Travis County?

• Yes
• No

* Would you be willing to work an 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. shift on a rotating basis?

• Yes
• No

* The City Charter states that a judge of the municipal court "shall have resided in the city for a period of not less than two (2) years immediately preceding his or her appointment." As of January 1, 2022, will you have resided in the City of Austin for 2 consecutive years?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

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