The City of Hinesville is seeking applicants’ interest in becoming a Judge of Municipal Court. Pursuant to City Ordinance, the qualified candidate must meet the minimum qualifications: a resident of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit, shall be licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia, a member of the Georgia bar in good standing, a citizen of the United States of America and the State of Georgia.
This is a part-time position. The municipal court judge will preside over court once per week and if there is any special circumstance a special session may be held. Court sessions are held every Wednesday at 8:00 AM. Compensation is $26,000.00 annually with a 2-year contract.
The judge will be required to make himself available to sign paperwork such as warrants, court orders, attorney documents, etc. The judge will be required to comply with all the requirements prescribed by the Municipal Courts Training Council. OCGA 36-2-27(b)(c).
Major responsibilities and duties include:
- Performing all duties legally prescribed for a judicial officer serving as a Judge of a lawfully constituted Municipal Court according to the requirements of the Georgia Constitution, the Official Code of Georgia, the Code of Judicial Conduct, the Uniform Rules, Municipal Courts of the State of Georgia and such other rules as may be prescribed by the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia. In addition, the Judge shall act in accordance with any published opinions of the Judicial Qualifying Committee or its successor.
- At all times faithfully and to the best of his/her ability administer activities of the Court, assign, and hear all cases and fulfill all obligations of the Court as established by State or local law, rule, statute, regulation, and city ordinance.
- Conducting first appearance and bond hearings for any person detained in jail on a charge in Municipal Court on the immediate Wednesday following the person’s arrest.
- Providing quarterly reports to the City Manager of the Municipal Court judicial functions, including pretrial conferences, scheduling of Pro Tem Judges, and annual reviews of the financial condition of the Municipal Court system.
- Presiding over civil and criminal violations in the City of Hinesville, traffic and parking cases, arraignments, trials, issue warrants, bond hearings, pretrial hearings, City of Hinesville Code violations, all other hearings, and set forth the courtroom calendar.
- Developing and carrying out policies for trial procedures, including the adoption of an appropriate bail schedule.
- Coordinating with the City Attorney and Court Clerk to reduce or eliminate backlogs of pending cases.
- Annually reviewing data gathered by the city regarding cases generated by the City of Hinesville Police Department, which are being filed in the Municipal Court.
- Preparing a quarterly report concerning Municipal Court operations and personally presenting the report to the City Manager.
- In coordination with the Court Clerk, provide proper training of court staff and officials subject to the Judge’s direction and control regarding court procedures and the use of court forms and updating such training as necessary.
In coordination with the City Attorney and the Court Clerk, approve court forms and procedures necessary for the proper exercise of constitutional rights and other compliance with the law, and updating such forms and procedures as necessary
The City of Hinesville Municipal Court is served by the Municipal Court Judge, a Judge Pro Tempore and an Associate Judge.
Interested parties shall submit a letter of interest and resume by September 1, 2025 to .
City of Hinesville
Attention: Human Resources Department
115 E. ML King Jr. Dr
Hinesville, Ga 31313
THE CITY OF HINESVILLE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER