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Job Description

CITY JUDGE

(Non-classified)

JOB CODE 10570

Effective Date:	08/92A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to conduct courtroom proceedings in the Phoenix Municipal Court. This class is responsible for conducting arraignments, pretrial disposition conferences, calendar calls, and jury and nonjury criminal trials. The Phoenix Municipal Court is a Court of limited jurisdiction; it exercises original jurisdiction over all violations of any ordinance of the City and concurrent jurisdiction over all misdemeanor violations of the law of the State of Arizona committed within the City. The Phoenix Municipal Court is not a Court of Record. Duties require the exercise of considerable independent judgment in managing the docket, ruling on motions, and adjudicating cases. Work is performed in accordance with the law and is subject to review by a higher court through an appeal or special action. Individuals in this class are appointed to a four year term by the City Council. This class differs from that of Municipal Hearing Officer in that a City Judge is permitted to hear nonmoving criminal misdemeanor, criminal traffic, and civil traffic violation cases.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Presides over and adjudicates nonmoving criminal misdemeanors, criminal major and minor traffic violation cases, and civil minor traffic violation cases;
• Presides over arraignments, pretrial disposition conferences, calendar calls, probation violation hearings, jury, and nonjury trials;
• Hears and rules on motions;
• Finds defendants "guilty" or "not guilty," "responsible" or "not responsible," or "in violation" or "not in violation" in nonjury proceedings based upon evidence elicited at the trial or hearing;
• Conducts restitution, aggravation/mitigation hearings, if needed, prior to sentencing;
• Imposes sentences after a finding of "guilty" or "responsible" in a jury or nonjury trial;
• Determines the disposition of cash bails, surety bonds, and forfeitures;
• Orders and signs criminal arrest warrants;
• Conducts hearings and rules on requests for a Vicious Dog Petition, an Order of Protection, and/or an Injunction Against Harassment;
• Researches current case law as it applies to issues presented and, if needed, prepares written opinions;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Substantive criminal law and state criminal laws that are filed in Municipal Court as set forth in ARS Title 13, Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedures and Rules of Evidence.
• State Traffic laws as set forth in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 28, City of Phoenix Traffic Ordinances, and rules of Procedure in Civil Traffic Violation cases.
• Court policies and procedures.
• Case management techniques.

Ability to:

• Communicate orally with defendants, witnesses, and the public in group settings to give instructions or information, and to respond to questions.
• Visually observe people's behavior in a courtroom setting.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material.
• Produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Conduct and control court proceedings, elicit pertinent information, and confine witnesses and litigants to relevant issues.
• Appraise factual situations and make appropriate decisions promptly and in accordance with the law.
• Manage the cases scheduled in the courtroom in an effective and efficient manner.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Admission to the Bar in the State of Arizona.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Attorney at Law admitted to the practice of law by the Supreme Court of the State of Arizona, and five years of experience in the practice of law or equivalent legal experience, including some experience in a trial courtroom setting. Candidates must be of good moral character. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.