Municipal/Treatment Court Judge

City of Liberal•Liberal, KS

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to conduct courtroom proceedings in the Liberal Municipal Court. This position is responsible for conducting arraignments, pretrial disposition conferences, sentencing hearings, and non-jury criminal trials. The Liberal Municipal Court is a Court of limited jurisdiction; it exercises jurisdiction over cases involving alleged violations of ordinances legally enacted by the governing body of the City of Liberal. The Liberal 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 appeal to the District Court. The Municipal Court Judge is appointed by the City Manager. The Municipal Court Judge is permitted to hear traffic offenses, adult non-traffic offenses, code violations, and cigarette or tobacco infraction cases. STATEMENT OF PRIMARY DUTIES- TREATMENT COURT: The fundamental reason this classification exists is to preside over the Liberal Municipal Treatment Court. This position is responsible for conducting treatment court hearings, staffing in advance of those hearings and for reviewing pre-staffing reports in advance of staffings. The Treatment Court Judge is responsible for making final decisions about actions that occur in treatment court. Liberal Municipal Treatment Court is a post-conviction specialty court created by the City of Liberal Municipal Court. Participants in the treatment court are persons that have been convicted of a Class A or B misdemeanor and that otherwise qualify for treatment court.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE OF: Substantive criminal law and ordinance violations that are filed in Municipal Court, Kansas Code of Procedure for Municipal Courts and Kansas Municipal Court Manual.
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 peoples 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: Position requires the use of City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have/maintain an acceptable driving record. This position is subject to the City of Liberals Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy which includes one or more of the following: pre-employment testing, post-accident testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and follow-up testing. Ability to successfully pass a background check.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Admission to the Bar and good standing to practice law in the State of Kansas.
KNOWLEDGE OF: General treatment court principles.
Current Best Practice Standards produced by All Rise.
Substance use disorder and mental health treatments available for participants.
Drug testing standards and legal requirements related to the same.
Case management techniques.
Effective sanctions, incentives and service adjustments for participants.
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 peoples 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 and good standing to practice law in the State of Kansas.

Responsibilities

Presides over and adjudicates cases involving traffic offenses, adult non-traffic offenses, and cigarette or tobacco infractions and Liberal city code violations.
Presides over arraignments, pretrial disposition conferences, sentencing hearings, probation violation hearings, and non-jury trials.
Ensures that the rights of defendants and victims are protected.
Hears and rules on motions.
Finds defendants guilty or not guilty in non-jury proceedings based upon evidence elicited at the trial of hearing.
Imposes sentences after a finding of guilty in a non-jury trial or plea of guilty or no contest.
Confers with parole and probation officers regarding placement of convicted offenders on probation or treatment court.
Determines the amount and the disposition of bonds and forfeitures.
Orders and signs criminal arrest warrants.
Reviews files of persons who did not appear in court.
Determines whether warrants will be issued and whether defendants drivers licenses will be suspended or restricted.
Signs warrants, reviews requests for dismissals from prosecution.
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 customer service.
Exercises direction over the programs of the Court through the Court Administrator.
Participates with the Court Administrator in the development of the Court budget.
Performs essential and marginal functions as assigned.
Presides over treatment court hearings.
Presides over treatment court staffing.
Solicits information and suggestions from team members during staffing.
Reviews pre-staffing reports prior to staffing.
Orders incentives and sanctions that are consistent while considering the individual needs of each participant.
Enforces treatment recommendations of the treatment providers.
Grants final decisions in outcome of participants progress or termination.
Regularly revisits program missions, goals and objectives with the treatment court team to assure their efficacy and application.
Remains abreast of current research regarding behavior modification techniques and the imposition of incentives and sanctions.
Regularly attends general training for treatment courts and specific training for treatment court judges.
Participates in ongoing cross-training with the treatment court team.
Hears and rules on motions.
Acts as a spokesperson for the treatment court at various community events.
Regularly review protocols and procedures to assure their continued applicability and effectiveness.
Monitors treatment court progress to ensure proper protocols and procedures are utilized.
Reviews treatment court budget and assists in the budget process.
Assists with federal, state and local grant applications and compliance reports.
Issues bench warrants for participants, if necessary.
Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
Drafts treatment court manuals, memorandums of understanding, and other forms related to the treatment court.
Negotiates agreements with service providers to provide services for the treatment court program.
Performs essential and marginal functions as assigned.