Municipal Court Judge (Full-Time)

Full Job Description

The City of San Antonio Municipal Court is now accepting applications for full-time Municipal Court Judge.

Municipal Court Judges perform judicial duties as a municipal judge for the municipal courts of San Antonio.

The judge acts in the interpretation, application, and enforcement of local ordinances and applicable State laws.

The judge shall perform these duties by presiding over the municipal court sessions (including pre-trials, trials, hearings, and other judicial proceedings) and functioning as a magistrate in accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art.

15.17, to include issuing administrative search warrants.

Various hours are required based on court schedule and may include nonstandard work hours including evenings, overnight hours, weekends, and holidays when performing magistrate duties.

Appointments will be for a two-year term beginning May 1, 2026.

Compensation for this position is set by City Council.

Requirements

Judges are responsible for the following:

Presiding over jury trials, non-jury trials, and plea hearings.Administering oaths and affirmations, including oaths to jurors and to persons filing complaints with the court.Granting continuances in cases where sufficient cause is shown that a case should be postponed.Ruling on motions for new trials.Entering the proceedings of each trial in the judge's docket.Assessing punishment for contempt of court charges.Conducting driver's license suspension hearings under the Safety Responsibility Act.Performing magistrate duties pursuant to Art.

15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.Setting bail in misdemeanor and felony cases.Issuing summons, administrative search warrants, and arrest warrants in cases filed in Municipal Court.Issuing Fugitive Warrants and Mental Health Warnings.Granting Orders of Emergency Protection, Blood Draw Warrants, Juvenile Admonishments, and Orders for Emergency Detention.Reviewing probable cause affidavits and search warrants for all ranges of criminal offenses.

Qualifications United States citizenship.

Licensed attorney in good standing.

Two (2) or more years of experience practicing law in Texas.

Three (3) or more years of residency in the City of San Antonio immediately preceding appointment date.

Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.

Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position: Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A & B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and Family Violence Convictions.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - the following items must be attached to your online application:

• Completed and Notarized Application Authorizations document (2 pages)
• Completed Municipal Court Judge Application Supplemental Questionnaire (5 pages)
• Completed and signed Municipal Court Judge Background Check Authorization Form (1 page)
• Resume outlining current and relevant experience and credentials