Associate Judge

General Description

The Associate Judge performs the duties authorized by Chapter 54A, Government Code.

The Associate Judge works under the supervision of the Administrative District Judge and hears cases referred by the District Judges of the District Courts of Bell County.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. The Administrative District Judge may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Full time position.
• In criminal cases, preside over referred cases involving negotiated pleas of guilty or no contest, bond forfeiture hearings, pretrial motions, writs of habeas corpus, examining trials, hearings involving occupational driver's licenses, appeals of administrative driver's license revocation hearings, civil commitment matters under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, hearings involving setting, adjusting, or revoking bond, the issuance of search warrants, the selection of juries in criminal cases, and any other matter the referring judge considers necessary and proper.
• In civil cases, preside over any civil case or portion of a civil case referred by a district judge.
• Perform the duties of a magistrate in accordance with Article 15.17, Code of Criminal Procedure.
• Comply with the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Be a resident of this state and of Bell County.
• Have been licensed to practice law in Texas for at least four years.
• Have not been removed from office by impeachment, by the supreme court, by the governor on address to the legislature, by a tribunal reviewing a recommendation of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, or by the legislature's abolition of the judge's court.
• Not have resigned from office after having received notice that formal proceedings by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct had been instituted as provided by Section 33.022, Government Code and before final disposition of the proceedings.

Physical Demands:

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment):

Special Certifications and Licenses:

• Must have been licensed to practice law in Texas for at least four years.

Salary/Benefits

• $126,000 per year
• All standard county employee benefits

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Bell County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Bell County reserves the right to extend or close any job opening at any time, regardless of the date of closing indicated.