The City of Ferguson is seeking the qualifications of individuals interested in serving as Municipal Judge. The Municipal Judge presides over the municipal court.
PURPOSE
The City of Ferguson is seeking the qualifications of individuals interested in serving as Municipal Judge. The Municipal Judge presides over the municipal court.
INTRODUCTION
The City of Ferguson was incorporated in 1894. The City is governed by the Council- Manager form of government and operates under a municipal charter. The Mayor is elected for three-year terms and the six Council Members are elected for three-year staggered terms from three wards. The City Manager is appointed by the Mayor and Council and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the City and for implementing the policies set forth by the City Council.
The City Manager oversees five operating departments including Administration, Finance (including the Municipal Court Clerk’s Office), Public Works, Public Safety (including Police Department and Fire Department), and Parks and Recreation. The City has 140 full-time and an annual budget of approximately $20 million.
MUNICIPAL JUDGE POSITION
The position of Municipal Judge requires an attorney with knowledge of municipal law. The position requires a significant time commitment.
The Municipal Judge shall preside over the Municipal Court and shall adjudicate all cases involving municipal ordinance violations brought upon the Information of the Municipal Prosecutor. He or she shall also: (i) establish a Traffic Violations Bureau schedule in accordance with Rule 37, Missouri Supreme Court Rules; (ii) keep a docket in which every case commenced before him shall be entered and the proceedings therein; (iii) shall keep such other records and shall make such reports as may be required; (iv) review and issue, if appropriate, administrative search warrants; and (v) carry out such other duties and functions as required by state law or ordinance.
Under the Municipal Code, the bi-annual terms for the Municipal Judge begin on July 1 of every even-numbered year. It is anticipated that an appointment will be made this year on a provisional or temporary basis until June, 2016, when a normal two-year appointment will be made.
QUALIFICATIONS
The minimum required qualifications are as follows:
(i) Must be an attorney with a license to practice law in Missouri law and such license must be in good standing;
(ii) Must reside in the State of Missouri;
(iii) Must be over the age of twenty-one years;
(iv) Must have sufficient experience to preside over a Municipal Court of this size.
In addition, it is deemed critical that the selected individual possess the following experience, background and style:
• Have the ability to quickly familiarize themselves with the City Charter and Municipal Code of Ordinances.
• Familiarity in quality of life cases especially basic property maintenance, exterior appearance, and housing and building code matters.
• Be consistent with regard to interpretation and application of applicable law and regulations.
• Be able to maintain an orderly and disciplined court.
• Maintain the highest ethical and professional standards.
• Recognize the City’s broad authority in making legislative decisions and have the ability to impose punishment for violations of City ordinance regardless of his/her personal views of a particular ordinance.
Among experienced candidates having similar credentials, preference will be given to the candidate is not serving as a prosecuting attorney or city attorney for another governmental entity and is not primarily engaged in a criminal defense practice.
Each person submitting a response should note that the City of Ferguson views quality of life issues to be of high importance in the community; those quality of life issues include property maintenance, derelict and abandoned vehicles, disorderly conduct, and similar matters. There is a major effort in the City of Ferguson to stabilize and revitalize several neighborhoods. It is important that the Municipal Judge act, to the extent possible, to further these goals.
COURT RELATED ISSUES
Municipal Court currently meets 4 to 5 times a month. Two evening dockets are currently scheduled and two-three morning dockets are scheduled (one of which is a trial docket which is not held every month). The average non-trial docket consists of 200 – 400 defendants.
The Court is currently held in the City Hall; however, the Court will be moving to the new Courtroom at 222 South Florissant once final renovations are complete. It is anticipated that the court dockets will be rescheduled to Mondays in order to accommodate adjacent businesses.
FORMAT FOR RESPONSES
Responses should be written in the following format, using the headings presented below for the organization of responses. Respondents must address all questions asked and provide sufficient detail to enable a thorough evaluation of their proposals.
1. Respondent
Indicate the name, mailing address, email address and telephone numbers of the proposed respondent.
2. Identify Respondent
Include a detailed resume, a description of how the respondent meets the qualifications set forth in this Request, identifying similar positions currently held or previously held and all pertinent experience relative to the qualifications described in this Request.
3. References
Please list a representative set of references, including contact person, address, telephone number, and email address (if available) which can be contacted on behalf of the respondent.
4. Rate Proposal
Identify all fixed fees.
DUE DATE FOR RESPONSES
Responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope and marked “Request for Qualifications — Municipal Judge” to:
Mrs. Megan Asikainen
City Clerk
City of Ferguson
110 Church Street
Ferguson, MO 63135
Deadline to submit sealed responses is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2015.