District Court Attorney Magistrate/Attorney Referee/Research Clerk

TITLE: District Court Attorney Magistrate/Attorney Referee/Research Clerk

Under the supervision of the Chief Judge and the District Court Judge

General Summary

Serves in a quasi-judicial capacity as prescribed by statute and court rule, including issuance of misdemeanor and felony arrest warrants and search warrants, conducting misdemeanor and felony arraignments, setting bonds, accepting guilty pleas and sentencing misdemeanors as allowed by statute, conducts hearings and adjudicates civil infractions and small claims cases in the 71-B District Court. Conducts juvenile hearings and disposes cases in the Family Division of the 54th Circuit Court. Performs civil marriage ceremonies. Assists the judiciary with legal research and opinions. Serves on-call as directed by the District Court Judge.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Presides over informal hearings involving all civil infraction matters, traffic and parking, state and municipal civil infractions. Explains the law and procedures to the parties, hears testimony, examines witnesses under oath, makes findings of fact and conclusions of law, and assesses appropriate sanctions upon findings of responsibility. *

Presides over small claims hearings involving civil matters with damages as set by statute. Explains the law and procedures to parties, hears testimony and examines witness under oath, makes findings of fact and conclusions of law and determines appropriate damages if any.*

Presides at probable cause hearings to determine probable cause and issue arrest warrants in some misdemeanor and felony cases issued by the prosecuting attorney. Examines witnesses under oath to determine probable cause. Issues written denials of warrants when probable cause is not shown.*

Presides over “dangerous dog” cases filed in the 71-B District Court.

Sets pre-arraignment bond on warrant when appropriate.*

Conducts initial arraignments in all felony and misdemeanor matters. Sets bond/bail amounts and type and conditions, schedules initial court dates in all criminal cases, prepares all necessary paperwork for release, i.e. pretrial releases, notices, and LEIN orders.*

Conducts arraignments in probation violations warrants in all District Court probation cases. Sets bond and conditions, schedules hearing date and prepares all paperwork and serves jail and defendants.*

Accepts guilty pleas and sentences defendants for misdemeanors within magistrate’s jurisdiction pursuant to statute and LAO.*

Accepts and examines affidavits for search warrants from law enforcement officers. Upon determining probable cause, issues search warrants. Issues written denials of warrant when probable cause is not shown.*

Reviews and accepts admissions of responsibility and admissions with explanations in civil infraction matters, considers defendants’ verbal or written explanations, and makes appropriate disposition of cases.*

Performs civil marriage ceremonies.*

Serves in an on-call status, as set by the District Court Judge, during all non-business hours, 365 days per year** for issuance of search warrants, probable cause for lodged individuals and setting bonds, along with keeping the appropriate record. Also called on to answer questions from law enforcement personnel regarding multiple issues. ** (12 weekends per year and vacation days are covered by the back-up magistrate and District Court Judge.)

Conducts review hearings for individuals in need of time to pay fines and costs in misdemeanor non-probation cases and conducts just cause hearings for individuals who have missed scheduled payments.

Arraigns individuals arrested on non-payment/fail to appear bench warrants. Conduct just cause hearing to determine if credit for time served or additional time to pay is appropriate. Prepare paperwork for jail and individual.*

Responds to correspondence from jail and prison inmates. Answer questions regarding old cases and requests for credit towards money owed and current cases.*

Responds to requests for assistance or questions from law enforcement, the jail, local officials (typically zoning), and the public regarding Court procedure, enforcement and requirements in hearings.*

Responsible for recording (either video, audio or both) those hearings required by statute or court rule.*

Required to keep up to date on multiple computer and audio/visual programs. Must be able to troubleshoot and diagnose computer problems when on call and assist law enforcement in using hardware and software. Must stay up to date on changes made by the State Court Administrator regarding requirements for recording hearings.*

Conducts legal research for the judges as needed and assists in preparing opinions and orders.

Must comply with the requirements of the Michigan Continuing Judicial Education (MCJE) Board.

Assists in other areas of the court as required by the Chief Judge or District Court Judge.*

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person.

Qualifications

Education: Graduate from an accredited law school.

Other Requirements: Must be a registered voter of Tuscola County. Must be licensed as an Attorney in the State of Michigan. Must have competent computer skills and the ability to enter data correctly into computer systems and use internet and email programs. Must complete the New Magistrate Seminar provided through the Michigan Judicial Institute.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform duties of the job.

Send cover letter, resume, general employment application (available at www.tuscolacounty.org/employment/, and writing sample to:

Sheila Long, Court Administrator

440 N. State Street

Caro, MI 48723

Or email the packet to slong@tuscolacounty.org

Deadline for resumes is February 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $81,360.00 - $105,656.00 per year

Work Location: In person