Town Magistrate Services

The Town of Wickenburg is soliciting Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for a Town Magistrate to conduct Courtroom proceedings in the Wickenburg Town Court. The Wickenburg Town Court is one of limited jurisdiction. Based on the proposals submitted, individuals and/or firms (if applicable) may be selected for interviews. Upon completion of the interview phase, the Town expects but is not obligated, to proceed with negotiation of a contract with the selected Proposer. Any proposer responding to this Request for Qualifications must agree to the terms and conditions included in the proposed contract.

Position Description: The fundamental responsibilities of the Town Magistrate are to conduct Courtroom proceedings in the Wickenburg Town Court. The Wickenburg Town Court is a court of limited jurisdiction. It exercises original jurisdiction over all violations of any ordinance of the Town and concurrent jurisdiction over all civil traffic, criminal traffic, criminal misdemeanors, juvenile traffic, liquor violations, petty offenses, Town Code violations, restraining orders and search warrants committed within the Town. 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. The Wickenburg Town Council appoint the Town Magistrate to a contract term of two years.

Essential Functions and Duties:

• Presides over and adjudicates non-moving criminal misdemeanors, criminal major and minor traffic violations cases, civil minor traffic violation cases, petty offenses, Town ordinance cases and restraining orders.
• Presides over all hearing types in the limited jurisdiction courts.
• Hears and rules on motions.
• Finds defendants “guilty” or “not guilty”, “responsible” or “not responsible”, or “in violation” or “not in violation” in non-jury proceedings based upon evidence elicited at the trial or hearing.
• Conducts restitution, hearings, if needed, prior to sentencing.
• Imposes sentences after a finding of “guilty” or “responsible” in a jury or non-jury trial.
• Determines the disposition of cash bails, surety bonds, and forfeitures.
• Orders and signs criminal arrest warrants.
• Conducts hearings and rules on requests for an Order of Protection and/or 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.
• Works with Town Clerk, Town Manager, and Town Attorney to encourage and improve Municipal operations, decrease liabilities, and improve customer service.\
• Supervises Municipal Court personnel including one (1) Court Administrator, two (2) Deputy Court Clerks, and one (1) part-time Court Security Officer. Is ultimately responsible for the proper administration of the Town Court in accordance with the standards and procedures established by the Arizona Supreme Court.

Availability: In-person one day per week, preferably Wednesday, excluding Holidays for a minimum of eight (8) hours. Available virtually for up to one hour on non-court days to perform Initial Appearances for in custodies with the Wickenburg Police Department.

Qualifications:

• Required knowledge of the Wickenburg Town Code and State Law with particular reference to Municipal legal provisions and Municipal law.
• Required knowledge of judicial procedure, rules of civil, civil traffic, criminal traffic and criminal misdemeanor procedure, and rules of evidence.
• Principles and practices of personnel management and supervision.
• Must be a graduate of a law school, must be admitted to practice law in the State of Arizona and must be an active member of the Bar for at least 5 years.

Experience Required:

• At minimum, five (5) years of legal experience, to include judicial experience as an associate or pro-tem judge, with criminal litigation experience working in prosecution, defense and appeals in a limited jurisdiction court.
• Have experience conducting arraignments, initial appearances, bench trials, jury trials, change of plea and sentencing hearings. Hearings on restraining orders.

Skills & Abilities:

• Skill and ability to manage cases scheduled in the Courtroom in an effective and efficient manner.
• Skill in working safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Skill in reviewing and checking the work of others pertaining to matters of legal oversight to ensure accuracy.
• Skill and ability to organize interpret and apply legal principles to complex legal problems.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, members of the public, and outside agencies and organizations.
• Skill in interpreting complex statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, polices and guidelines.
• Skill in communicating orally with defendants, witnesses, and the public in-group settings to give instructions or information, and to respond to questions.
• Ability to visually observe peoples’ behavior in a Courtroom setting.
• Skill to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Skill in conducting and controlling Court proceedings, elicit pertinent information and confine witnesses and litigants to relevant issues.
• Ability to appraise factual situations and make appropriate decisions promptly and in accordance with the law.
• Ability to comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other employees, customers, clients, and the public.
• Ability to effectively communicate in English both spoken and in writing.
• Ability to communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public using a telephone and in-group and face-to-face, one-to-one settings. Spanish comprehension encouraged but not required.
• Ability to prepare, research, and present comprehensive written and oral reports to Mayor and Councilmembers, the press, and other interested parties as required.
• Ability to administer and budget a large and diversified field of activities and services.

Physical Requirements:

• Repetitive Movement: Requires repetitive movement standard to office-related activities such as writing, speaking in person, and via telephone.
• Communication: Ability to thoughtfully understand the facts concerning various cases and respectively attending to the concerns of others. Spanish comprehension encouraged but not required.
• Hearing: Ability to understand simple and advanced conversations, give and receive direction and understand the spoken word at normal levels of hearing.
• Visual: Average, ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare and inspect written documents or work products.
• Strength: Sedentary work; sitting most of the time.

Working Conditions: May be exposed to potential harm in dealing with irate, disgruntled and/or upset citizens.

Mental Requirements:

• Reasoning: Ability to translate complex issues of law into common sense understanding and able to follow details of complicated adjudication containing varying facts and circumstances. Ability to reason with a diversity of cultures and individuals with divergent and often strong and vocal viewpoints.
• Logic: Ability to perform complex skills research and legal analysis. Able to handle a variety of complex legal issues and accurately discern/assess the best course of action and judgment.
• Language: Ability to use an active vocabulary to effectively articulate matters of law, in written and oral communication.

Overall, candidates should be in sufficient physical and mental health to perform the duties of the office with or without accommodation.