Attorney Magistrate

Allegan County has much to offer, with 24 Townships, 9 Cities, and 2 Villages across nearly 900 square miles. The landscapes range from the lakeshore to beautifully wooded lands, our County’s natural resources are a gift to be treasured. Allegan County businesses, citizens, and employees are world-class, and we remain a welcoming, closely-knit community. We are one of the fastest-growing counties in Michigan.
Allegan County Government places high importance on our core values: Respect, Integrity, Commitment and Honesty.  A common thread among our leadership, employees and volunteers is a strong desire to serve and be part of something meaningful. We were recently identified as “Best in Class Winner” among mid-size companies for our excellence in optimizing employee and organizational well-being. We have also received the Impact Award for excellence in educating our employees about their retirement plans and overall financial wellness. We are looking for dedicated, caring, energetic people to join our team!

Job Summary: 

Serves in a quasi-judicial capacity as prescribed by statute and court rule, and as authorized by the Chief Judge.  Conducts informal and small claims hearings, conducts arraignments on misdemeanor and felony matters, issues arrest and search warrants, and sets bond.
 

Wage Range: $85,488 - $112,361 per year, depending on experience, full-time salaried position

Excellent Benefits Plan:  Health benefits begin on the first of the month after your hire date
- Medical, Dental & Vision (3 medical plans to choose from, 2 of which have a $0 premium)
- County-funded Health Savings Account with our two high-deductible medical plans
- County-paid employee life insurance coverage
- County-paid short-term disability coverage, up to 52 weeks
- Generous retirement plan, including a county contribution of 7% of your annual earnings
- Tuition Reimbursement Program for college degree courses
- Generous PTO plan, including front-loaded hours into PTO bank at hire, and annually on January 1.
- 13 paid holidays, in addition to PTO
- FREE use of Allegan County government's two fitness centers 

Responsibilities and Duties: 

1. Conducts informal hearings in civil infraction matters.  Explains the law and procedures to parties, hears testimony, examines witnesses under oath, makes findings of fact and conclusions of law, and assesses appropriate sanctions upon finds of responsibility.
2. Presides over small claims hearings as authorized by court rule, statutes and the Chief Judge.
3. Conducts arraignments in felony and misdemeanor matters, accepts guilty pleas and sentences defendants for misdemeanors within magistrate’s statutory jurisdiction, considering defendant’s record and other relevant factors.
4. Accepts and examines criminal complaints and examines witnesses, as necessary, in order to determine probable cause for issuing arrest warrants authorized by the prosecuting attorney.
5. Accepts and examines affidavits for search and seizure warrants from law enforcement officers.  Upon determining probable cause, issues search and seizure warrants.
6. Sets or denies bail in criminal matters based on seriousness of charge, probability of defendant’s court appearance, and other relevant factors.  May set conditions for bond, or commit accused persons to jail in lieu of bail.
7. Accepts admissions of responsibility in civil infraction matters, considers defendants’ verbal or written explanations, and makes appropriate disposition of cases including assessing fines and other sanctions.
8. Performs civil marriage ceremonies.
9. Performs magisterial duties outside of normal court business hours on a regular basis.  Serves in an on-call capacity for the issuance of warrants and setting of bonds.
10. Acts as in-house legal advisor to the court and employees regarding statutes, court rules and case findings.

Education and Experience: 

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Five to seven (5-7) years of experience which has provided a working knowledge of district court procedure, or other closely related experience.