Assistant Municipal Judge

Job 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. An Assistant Municipal Judge may act in the capacity of a Municipal Court Referee and hear municipal court ordinance violations, parking violations, non-pointed traffic type cases (Camera Radar/Red Light cases) 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 are invited, but not required, to attend scheduled judges’ meetings. Assistant judges may, from time to time, be assigned to specific cases or appeals. 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. -Protects and preserves the court record to ensure that the City and defendants have a record on which to appeal, if necessary.