Magistrate

Description Magistrate Salary:

$99,000 to $119,246 (Offer will be commensurate with experience)

Appointed by the Chief Judge of the 15 th Judicial District Court, the Attorney Magistrate is under the direct supervision of the Chief Judge or his/her designee. The Attorney Magistrate serves in a quasi-judicial capacity and is responsible for conducting various hearings in accordance with the Court’s statutory purpose, policies and procedures which require a high degree of independent judgment and knowledge of Michigan statutory and case law.

This includes hearings associated with civil infraction, misdemeanor, and small claims cases, determining probable cause, authorizing search warrants (24/7), conducting arraignments and performing marriages. The Attorney Magistrate prepares recommendations for the Judges and Court Administrator and/or his/her designee after conducting legal research regarding legal matters impacting the Court and advises Judges and court staff. The Attorney Magistrate may also be required to preside at the Washtenaw County Service Center on weekends and holidays, in rotation with other Magistrates from other District Courts in Washtenaw County, subject to a cross-jurisdictional agreement approved by the State Court Administrative Office.

The Attorney Magistrate is an at-will employee who shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Judge.

• Be a graduate of an accredited law school;
• Be licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan;
• Be a member in good standing of the Michigan Bar Association;
• Be a resident of and a registered voter in the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan;
• Become an active member of the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates;
• Have no felony offense convictions;
• Pass a criminal background check and drug test;
• Pass testing requirements to be a certified LEIN (Law Enforcement Information Network) operator within six (6) months of employment and recertify as applicable;
• Successfully complete the Michigan Judicial Institute/State Court Administrative Office Magistrate training program within one year after employment to retain this position;
• Maintain compliance with Michigan Continuing Judicial Education requirements;
• Be able to understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Be able to work independently and to set priorities to meet deadlines;
• Be able to work well in a team environment;
• Possess good organizational, filing, verbal and writing skills;
• Possess strong public speaking skills;
• Have advanced knowledge of computers, online legal resources, and office software applications (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint, Access, Excel, Word, Outlook);
• Possess the ability to use sound judgment within established procedural guidelines;
• Be capable of performing the work related in this posting.

• Not less than three years of litigation experience in the practice of law in the State of Michigan; and
• A thorough understanding of the rules of evidence, case law, and trial practice and procedures.

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.