About This Role
This role involves presiding over assigned hearings for the Juvenile Court Judges, evaluating evidence, and applying the law to facts to determine court responses. The Magistrate maintains fairness and impartiality, writes legally defensible decisions, and manages courtroom procedures and conduct.
Responsibilities
- Preside over assigned hearings on behalf of the Juvenile Court Judges
- Accept and evaluate evidence in accordance with established rules of evidence
- Hear testimony, facts, and arguments
- Rule on objections and apply the law to facts to determine Court response
- Maintain fairness and impartiality
- Write legally defensible decisions in a timely manner
- Update JCMS in an accurate, timely manner
- Control and maintain courtroom procedure and conduct on the part of attorneys and litigants
- Issue contempt orders
- Monitor, manage, and control hearing times to ensure cases are heard as scheduled and within required time frames
- Stay current on new or changing statutes, procedures, and case law
- Conduct legal research and analyze legal decisions, cases, and documents
- Participate in meetings with supervisors, other departments, and outside community partners as required
- Participate in presentations and other speaking engagements on behalf of the Court
- Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance
Requirements
- Licensed practicing attorney for a minimum of 5 years
- Admitted and licensed by the Ohio Bar Association to practice law
- Analytical skills/abilities, including the ability to relate legal principles to facts, determine court response, make court decisions, listen, and critically analyze facts, and perform complex legal analysis and research
- Clerical/administrative skills/abilities, including typing and data entry
- Computer/technical skills/abilities, including the ability to operate a personal computer and use software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office and JCMS
- Project/process management skills/abilities, including the ability to handle large caseloads in an efficient, effective manner
- Ability to work independently and complete assigned projects in a timely manner
- Superior written and oral communication skills/abilities, including the ability to work professionally with attorneys, public, and staff, remain fair and impartial, control courtroom conduct and process, defuse hostile situations, work effectively with persons of varying socioeconomic and educational backgrounds, and write court decisions in a clear and legally-defensible manner
- Knowledge of Juvenile law and related statutes, case law, general law, rules of evidence, civil procedure, jurisprudence of contempt, social welfare system, community social service resources, legal principles and terminology, and internal court procedures
