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Posted May 02, 2024

Substitute Judge - Central Booking

Austin, TX Part Time

The City of Austin is seeking a highly qualified individual to fill the Substitute Judge (Central Booking) position, the role reports to the Presiding Judge.
The Substitute Judge will have several exciting challenges to address and areas of opportunity to excel. Among these is the need for the Magistrate to personally oversee proceedings at the
Central Booking Facility, encompassing overnight shifts, weekends, and on-call duties, with few exceptions granted in emergency situations. The successful candidate will be instrumental in driving the department's participation in a new county hearing initiative known as, Counsel at First Appearance (CAFA). 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 Ideal Candidate
Possesses excellent knowledge of Texas Criminal Law and procedure, has experience reviewing and determining probable cause, has knowledge of bail and bond procedures, possesses basic computer skills and the ability to learn various case management systems, is willing to work shifts which may include 6am-2pm, 2pm-10pm, or 10pm-6am and may also include weekends.

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.

Additional Application Instructions

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.

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