Municipal Judge - City at OKC Career Site

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

09 May, 26

Salary

60.34

Posted On

08 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Judicial Adjudication, Legal Knowledge, Communication, Record Keeping, Case Management, Public Trust, Ethical Standards, Criminal Law, Legal Research, Decision Making, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Court Procedures, Document Drafting, Crisis Management, Continuing Education

Industry

Government Administration

Description

PAY $60.34 Hourly DEPARTMENT INFORMATION, JOB SUMMARY AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: This position is located in Oklahoma City Municipal Court Building at 701 Couch Drive, Oklahoma City, OK. The term of this position will commence upon appointment and will expire June 30, 2027, with potential for reappointment to consecutive two (2) year terms thereafter. Municipal Judges, who are appointed by the Mayor and City Council serve two-year terms, are responsible for independently adjudicating cases involving alleged violations of the Municipal Code. This classification requires a thorough knowledge of municipal ordinances and state and federal law, as well as prior experience as a practicing attorney or judge in a court of record in the State of Oklahoma. Municipal Judges must be able to work cooperatively and productively with other Municipal Judges, the Judiciary Committee, Court Administrator, etc. They are also required to participate in judicial and continuing legal education programs designed to increase professional competence and ensure optimal public service. Essential job functions include: promoting public trust and confidence in the administration of justice at the municipal level; ensuring efficient, fair, and impartial adjudication of cases arising from alleged violations of municipal ordinances; issuing warrants and subpoenas; keeping and preserving the records of the Court, certifying transcripts; imposing sentences; administering oaths; enforcing due obedience to all orders, rules, and judgments made by the Court; reviewing defendants' probation files prior to sentencing to ensure that the terms and conditions of probation are met; conducting out-of-court reviews of various dockets prior to court appearances; conducting conferences with defense attorneys and/or representatives of the Municipal Counselor's office as necessary to review Jury Division cases; being on call afterhours, weekends and holidays to handle emergencies at the jail and probable cause affidavits; attending judicial conferences as needed to discuss problems or procedural changes affecting court operations; and performing related duties as required to execute the ordinances and resolutions of the City Council, the Charter, and the Oklahoma Statutes. The appointee functions primarily independently, with work methods reviewed by the Presiding Municipal Judge or the Judiciary Committee for overall success in realizing the desired levels and the achievement of efficient and effective Judicial Division operations. The Council must select and designate a presiding and vice-presiding judge either among incumbent Municipal Judges or specifically hire an individual to serve in the capacity of presiding or vice-presiding Judge, if vacant. Designation as presiding and vice-presiding judge is at the pleasure and discretion of the City Council and such designation may be reassigned at any time. The Presiding Judge, in addition to regular duties as a Municipal Judge, assigns cases to the Municipal Judges, assigns duties to Special Judges, promulgates court rules of procedure, makes recommendations to the Judiciary Committee on candidates for appointment as Special Judges, and performs any such other acts as required to execute the ordinances, resolutions of the Council, the City Charter and state statutes, and designates a list of offenses the fines for which may be received by Oklahoma City Municipal Court. MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS: The City of Oklahoma City Municipal Court is a Criminal Court of Record. Judges of the Municipal Court are appointed by the Council. Pursuant to Section 121.1 of Title 20 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Municipal Judges are subject to the same qualification requirements as District Judges. Those qualifications, as dictated by the Oklahoma Constitution, Section 8, Article VII, include: License to practice law in Oklahoma; Minimum of four (4) years’ experience as a practicing attorney or as a judge of a court of record, or combination thereof; Be a registered voter and actual resident of The City of Oklahoma City for at least six (6) months prior to the first day of service. In addition to the Oklahoma Constitutional qualification requirements, the Mayor and Council require the following to be met for appointment as a Municipal Judge: A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a practicing attorney in the area of criminal law. Three (3) letters of reference from at least one (1) Judge of the District Court (Federal or State) and at least one (1) member of opposing counsel in a criminal law proceeding. Be of good moral and ethical standing, legally and financially. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum of four (4) years' experience as a licensed, practicing attorney or judge in a court of record in the State of Oklahoma at the time of appointment. Possession of a valid Oklahoma license to practice law. Knowledge of and skill in interpreting and applying municipal ordinances and state and federal laws. Knowledge of the structure and function of the City organization. Skill in drafting and revising legal and/or other documents on a personal computer. Skill in interpreting and relating laws and ordinances to specific court cases. Skill in rendering fair and impartial judicial verdicts based on the facts and merit of individual court cases. Skill in verbal and written communication. Ability and willingness to read and analyze large quantities of legal and case-history information. Ability to analyze complex legal issues and present findings in a clear, logical, and concise manner. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people from various socio-economic backgrounds. Willingness to assume responsibility for work performed and decisions made. WORKING CONDITIONS Primarily indoors in a climate-controlled environment. Subject to sitting for extended periods of time. Subject to continuous exposure to light and glare from a computer monitor. Routinely required to work beyond normal working hours. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Arm-hand steadiness and finger dexterity enough to operate standard office equipment. Near vision enough to read and produce written and machine-generated documents, including legal opinions, reports, etc. Near vision enough to read the fine print found in law books, legal briefs, etc. Speech and hearing enough to communicate clearly and distinctly in-person and via telephone. OTHER NOTES: Completed applications must be submitted no later than March 1, 2026. Names of the final applicants will be submitted to the City Council for approval. About Us Oklahoma City is one of the fastest-growing metros in the United States and is the 20th largest city in the nation. For nearly two decades our residents have continually invested in our community to make it a place people can find belonging, visit and call home. Our employees are at the heart of those investments–delivering essential services our residents expect and creating a strong and thriving city for all people. Visit Oklahoma City--A Great Place to Live and Work! to learn more about our city. Our Vision: A vibrant, diverse, safe, and welcoming community Our Mission: Deliver exceptional service to residents and visitors Our Values: One City, One Team. Service First. Respect Always. Own the Outcome. Keep Getting Better. We are proud to be recognized by Forbes as #20 on the list of America’s Best Employers by State (2025) and even prouder of the people who make that possible. Join our team and build a fulfilling career in public service, alongside talented, hardworking, and dedicated coworkers who provide essential services to thousands of residents and visitors every day. Our Total Rewards package (full-time employees) reflects our deep investment in our employees’ health, growth, and future, with an average of $22,000 per employee annually in benefits and retirement. Why? Because when our employees thrive, our city thrives.

Responsibilities

Municipal Judges are responsible for independently adjudicating cases involving alleged violations of the Municipal Code and ensuring fair and impartial adjudication. They also issue warrants, keep court records, and participate in judicial education programs.