Magistrate

Position Description

The Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is one of the highest volume Courts of Limited Jurisdiction in the State of Washington with seven elected judges, five appointed magistrates and over 200 employees. SMC is the judicial branch of government for the City of Seattle and is authorized by the State of Washington. The Court adjudicates all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes, infractions, and civil violations authorized under the Seattle Municipal Code and certain Revised Code of Washington Statutes.

SMC is seeking an experienced attorney to join the Court as a Magistrate. A Magistrate conducts mitigation hearings and civil trials on contested infractions and settlement conferences. The Magistrate rules on legal motions, decides the merits of cases, hears and evaluates evidence and witness credibility and makes findings of facts and conclusions of law. A Magistrate serves in formal court as a judge pro tempore when an elected judge is unavailable. The Magistrate directly interacts with citizens and must ensure that each person is afforded a full and fair hearing.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct hearings on a wide variety of Seattle Municipal Code traffic violations, including those involving automobiles, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Conduct hearings involving the public’s health and safety including animal control violations, zoning, fire and building code violations.
• Impose appropriate sanctions for violations.
• Serve in formal court as a judge pro tempore when needed. In such situations, the Magistrate may preside over in-custody arraignments, pre-trial hearings, motions, criminal trials and review hearings, as well as presiding over specialty courts including Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts.
• Provide occasional Saturday and holiday coverage as well as some after-hour issuance of search warrants.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate of law with Bachelor of Law (LLB) or Juris Doctorate (JD) degree
• Five (5) years in the practice of law, including substantial criminal law experience
• Knowledge of the Rules of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CrRLJ)
• Knowledge of the Rules of Evidence (ER)
• Knowledge of the Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (IRLJ)
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Possess diplomacy and objectivity in the fulfillment of all job duties; Ability to maintain decorum in a courtroom
• Ability to apply fair and equitable administration of the law while providing good customer service
• Ability to conduct court business in a manner that brings honor and respect to the organization; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.
• Demonstrate a willingness to promote and explain court programs through speaking engagements at community and school events.
  
  

A Successful Candidate

• Will have a Juris Doctorate (JD) Be a licensed attorney
• Be a member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing Will have practiced law for at least five years.
• Available to work an occasional Saturday/holiday and intermittently after-hours.
  
  

Additional Information

The successful candidate must be able to work an occasional Saturday and/or holiday. He/she must also be able to provide intermittent after-hours coverage to issue search warrants.

A job offer is contingent upon verification of credentials and successfully passing the Court's background check. The background check includes a criminal history background review, fingerprinting and reference checks.

The full salary range for this position is $74.45 - $74.45 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, or pregnancy. The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Accommodations for people with disabilities are provided on request. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.

Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

For more information on the Seattle Municipal Court, visit www.seattle.gov/courts