Closing Date: 22nd April, 2024

Description:

Summary:
An Assistant Municipal Judge is appointed by the Fort Collins City Council. The Assistant Judge presides over the municipal court docket as needed when the Chief Judge is unavailable or when two judges are necessary based on the size of the docket. The Assistant Municipal Judge(s) selected from this posting will also be appointed as municipal referees to preside over informal hearings for municipal court ordinance violations, parking violations, zero point traffic violations and review any costs of abatement pursuant to civil infraction provisions of the City Code. The municipal court docket includes civil infractions, traffic infractions, petty offenses, traffic misdemeanors, animal cases, parking cases, and misdemeanors. An assistant judge may preside over any type of docket or trial, including arraignments, pretrial conferences, in-custody hearings, pretrial readiness hearings, show cause hearings, court trials, jury trials, and any other hearing set on the docket. Assistant judges also review and rule on motions and documents relating to cases to which they are assigned or in which the Chief Judge has a conflict. Assistant judges may serve as the liquor authority or marijuana authority when the Chief Judge is unavailable. Assistant judges are invited, but not required, to attend scheduled judges' meetings. Assistant judges may, from time to time, be assigned to specific cases or appeals. Assistant judges may be called upon to preside over virtual dockets and must be able to utilize technology necessary to do so.

The ideal candidate must have a genuine desire to serve the community of Fort Collins by providing the highest possible level of service. It is fundamental to administer equitable, fair, and impartial justice in a timely and respectful manner; protect fundamental rights; promote public safety; and facilitate community reparation.

Judicial Duties:

Conducts hearings/trials in an efficient and appropriate manner. Advise defendants of their rights, administers oath and affirmations, rule on admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony, examines evidence and interprets applicable law, enforces orders, rules, and judgments in compliance with all applicable law.
Imposes fines and sentences upon finding of guilty/liable or responsibility according to City Code, and state and federal law. Designs and implements appropriate and creative penalties. Enforces penalties consistently, according to City Code and Charter as well as state law.
Presides over hearings as a referee in a less formal setting.
Protects and preserves the court record to ensure that the City and defendants have a record on which to appeal, if necessary.
Acts as liquor/marijuana authority.
May from time to time preside over problem-solving court dockets.

City Competencies

Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Capabilities:

Excellent communications skills-written, verbal, and interpersonal; able to exhibit presence in various settings, tailor communication style to diverse audiences, and present complex information in a clear, diplomatic, and understandable manner.
Able to balance confidence and humility.
Demonstrated confidence in rendering decisive, well-founded factual findings, legal opinions and sentencing without regard to popularity of decision
Possesses judicial temperament with respect to attentiveness, patience, impartiality, promptness, and courtesy.
Confidence in making sound judgments and exhibiting patience when dealing with stressful situations
Unquestionable personal integrity, character, and conviction
Strong attention to detail.

Qualifications:

A Juris Doctorate degree from a nationally accredited school of law.
Licensed to practice law in Colorado, and in good standing with the Colorado Supreme Court
Five years legal or judicial experience. Experience in municipal law or criminal law is preferred.
Knowledge of Colorado Law, the Colorado Municipal Court Rules of Procedure, and Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Knowledge of Fort Collins City Charter, City Code, and City Traffic Code.