Civic Series: Judges
The fourth in a series on the different roles of government. Today, we dig into the responsibilities of municipal judges in local governments.
In this article, I will outline the purpose and value of local municipal judges, their functions, duties, and responsibilities.
This series will give you a deeper understanding of how your local government works.
Municipal judges are significant figures in the criminal justice system who preside over local court cases.
Judges are responsible for many cases, including traffic violations, misdemeanors, and ordinance violations.
Municipal judges play a critical role in administering justice at the local level, and their decisions can significantly impact individuals and communities.
On a lighter note, judges will also preside over weddings and sign marriage licenses.
One of the primary duties of municipal judges is to ensure that defendants receive a fair and impartial trial.
Municipal judges are bound by legally ethical standards that require them to be impartial and avoid any appearance of bias or impropriety.
They must also follow the rules of evidence and procedure to ensure the trial is conducted fairly and justly.
Municipal judges are responsible for interpreting and applying the law, and their decisions can significantly impact the lives of those who come before them.
These decisions can include a locally sourced jury but sometimes can be a bench trial which trial is a trial by judge, as opposed to a trial by jury.
The term applies most appropriately to any administrative hearing concerning a summary offense to distinguish the type of trial.
Many legal systems use bench trials for most cases or specific cases.
FUN FACT: In New York, Texas, Nevada, and five other states, a law degree is not mandatory for becoming a judge.
However, for the 22 states with such requirements, you’ll have to practice law as an attorney for at least a few years before getting a judgeship in any of the courts mentioned above.
Municipal judges work closely with other members of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and defense attorneys, to ensure that cases are handled in a legal, timely, and efficient manner.
Municipal judges also have the authority to issue warrants, set bail amounts, and impose fines and other penalties to uphold the law, protect public safety, and develop local precedents.
Cases they preside over are studied and referenced in future cases.
Despite the importance of their role, municipal judges often face significant challenges in fulfilling their duties.
They may have to contend with a heavy caseload, limited resources, and a need for more public understanding or support for their work.
Sometimes they are understaffed and are issued a different workload based on their local affiliation.
Municipal judges are the closest to the lives of the locals and the challenges they face.
Sometimes, that can present an element of stress and profound responsibility in their decision-making.
Additionally, municipal judges can face pressures from various sources, including elected officials, community groups, and the media, making it difficult to remain impartial and make fair and just decisions.
This may paint a picture of the stressful job the local judge faces daily.
This assertion would be the correct one.
Many municipalities have implemented measures to support their municipal judges to address these challenges.
Some municipalities provide additional training and resources to help judges better understand the complex issues they encounter.
Others have established judicial oversight committees or other mechanisms to help hold judges accountable for their actions and decisions.
Citizen involvement has also increased in recent years.
This has taken the form of city-ran commissions that help make suggestions and recommendations to the local governing body that is then applied, if adopted, to the judicial system.
Municipal judges play a critical role in administering justice at the local level.
They are responsible for ensuring defendants receive a fair and impartial trial, upholding the law, and protecting public safety.
Despite the challenges they face, municipal judges are essential to the functioning of the criminal justice system, and their work is crucial to maintaining the rule of law in our communities.
As citizens, we need to support our local judges by contacting them with notes of commission, articles of note, and resources to improve their life and quality of work.
Future Learning: If you haven’t, check out Caught In Providence on YouTube.
You’ll see a human side of a local judge and how they can impact the lives of those within their community.
CITATIONS:
- American Bar Association. (n.d.). Standards of Judicial Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_code_of_judicial_conduct/standard_3_1_impartiality_and_fairness_to_litigants/
- National Center for State Courts. (2019). Municipal Court Judges. Retrieved from https://www.ncsc.org/topics/municipal-courts/municipal-court-judges
- How To Become a Judge — Step-by-Step Guide (legaljobs.io)
- U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). Municipal Courts. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/crt/municipal-courts
- Vitiello, M. (2016). Municipal Courts in the United States. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History. Retrieved from https://oxfordre.com/americanhistory/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.001.0001/acrefore-9780199329175-e-242.
