Attorney Magistrate/Research Attorney

DUTIES:

• Serves as a judicial officer of the Court, presiding over civil infractions, misdemeanors, and small claims hearings, and guiding cases from first appearance through disposition.
• Conducts arraignments, determines probable cause, issues search warrants, and performs marriages, exercising the full legal authority granted to Michigan Attorney Magistrates.
• Brings legal insight to complex matters by researching case law, drafting opinions and memoranda, and helping shape the Court’s decisions and procedures.
• Uses sound judgment in the courtroom—examining witnesses, accepting pleas, and ensuring defendants are properly advised and scheduled.
• Collaborates closely with judges, magistrates, probation officers, and court staff to support efficient and fair court operations.
• Serves as a legal resource to the Court and community, responding to inquiries and clarifying processes and legal issues.
• Supports innovation and continuous improvement by assisting with staff training, special projects, and procedural updates.
• Maintains accurate records and administrative documentation that keep cases moving smoothly and the court functioning effectively.
• This description is intended to illustrate the type and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this job. It may not be a comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities required by a person so classified.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from ABA accredited law school; admission to the practice of law in the State of Michigan and in good standing with the State Bar.
• A minimum of three (3) years of paid full-time trial court experience in the practice of law or one (1) year prior experience as an Attorney Magistrate or Attorney Referee in the Circuit, District or Probate Court and Juvenile Court.
• Applicants for Attorney Magistrate may apply at a trainee level with less than the minimum experience. The successful trainee applicant will move upon approval of the Chief Judge from trainee salary level to full Attorney-Magistrate salary level upon successful completion of the required minimum one (1) year experience as an Attorney Magistrate or Attorney Referee.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A legal writing sample must accompany application for the position.
• In accordance with statutory requirements, the District Court Attorney Magistrate must be a registered voter in Berrien County.
• Must successfully complete the Michigan Judicial Institute's Magistrate Training Program within one year of employment.
• Required to possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical, including drug testing prior to employment.
• A background check will be performed, and employees will be fingerprinted.
• Subject to random alcohol and drug testing.
• The physical ability to lift 25 pounds, reach and bend for file manipulation is essential to job duties.
• May be assigned to work at any of the Trial Court locations.
• May work flexible hours as needed to ensure duties are current.
• Provides after-hours, weekend and holiday search warrant/arraignment duty coverage assistance to police agencies, the court, Juvenile Center and the Prosecuting Attorney's office.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, courtroom operations and procedures, including the ability to conduct specific hearings.
• Familiarity with agencies within Berrien County that serve the Court's clients.
• Considerable understanding of criminal law, statutes, court rules, case law, local ordinances and the state Motor Vehicle Code.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Capable of maintaining accurate records and reports.
• Able to maintain confidentiality, effective working relationships with other employees and interact effectively with the general public.

TO APPLY ONLINE, CLICK HERE:

TO APPLY VIA EMAIL, FAX, MAIL OR IN PERSON:

If you prefer not to apply online, you may download a Berrien County Job Application and send it to our Personnel Department via email, fax, mail or in person. A Berrien County job application must be submitted in order to be considered for employment.

Submit by Email
Fax: (269) 983-5788
Address: Berrien County Administration Building, Personnel Department, 701 Main St., St. Joseph, MI 49085