Magistrate

The municipal court magistrate advances all municipal court cases through the judicial process on a municipal level as required by the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration, Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure and The Code of Alabama 1975. Magistrates are considered chief officers of Municipal Court and are subject to the administrative direction of the Clerk of Municipal Court.  Magistrates are appointed to serve upon the written recommendation of the Municipal Court Judge.This list is not intended to be all-inclusive nor exclusive but is intended to provide examples of typical duties performed.

• Determines probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest or summons for criminal offenses.  May issue subpoenas; depose suspects, victims and witnesses; and review evidence.  When appropriate, the magistrate issues a warrant of arrest or summons charging the suspect with that crime. 
• Conducts hearings with jailed inmates to set bail; approve cash, property and surety bonds.  Magistrates are authorized to release defendants charged with municipal offenses on their personal recognizance, while considering the safety of the victim, the best interests of the suspect and their likelihood of court appearance, and potential liability to the city. 
• Interviews inmates charged with crimes involving domestic violence to determine conditions that will be placed on their release.  
• Receives pleas of guilty on certain cases and then adjudicates those cases.  May dismiss certain types of charges, conduct arraignments and set non-guilty pleas for trial, as well as grant continuances.  
• Oversees court proceedings by managing defendants and defense attorneys, while settling cases contained on the docket.
• Conducts compliance and probation dockets, meeting with defendants to ensure Judge’s orders are followed.  Coordinates and facilitates defendants’ interaction, required attendance and completion of court ordered programs and counselling services.  
• Processes payments, maintains a balanced cash drawer, and prepares daily deposits.  This includes transactions from the court office window, mailed, and online payments.
• Performs administrative tasks to include managing case files, preparing dockets and processing incoming citizens’ correspondence and requests.
• Determines after court action for defendants who failed to appear in court including issuing Failure to Appear warrants, suspending drivers’ licenses, and forfeiting bonds. 
• Provides on-call support to the Pelham Police Department remaining available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to the police department to conduct hearings and to screen and issue warrants as needed by citizens and the Pelham Police Department.
• Establishes and maintains effective and collaborative work relationships with others.

Competency:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner;
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs;
• Team Work - Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Contributes to building a positive team spirit;
• Leadership - Inspires respect and trust;
• Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values; 
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures;
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions;
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position;
• Quality - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) and two years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience working in similar role is preferred.

Certificates and Licenses: 

• Current Municipal Court Magistrate Certification through Alabama Judicial College required.
• ACJIC/NCIC Certification must be obtained with one year from hire date.

Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.  Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.  Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.  Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management.

Reasoning Ability: 
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.  Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.  Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and variable situations and concepts.

Computer Skills: 
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software. Must be able to learn how to operate court case management software proficiently.  Must be able to learn how to operate ACJIC/NCIC software proficiently.Supervisory Responsibilities: 
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus.  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms.