The Presiding Judge of the Jefferson County Family Court will be interviewing candidates for a Court Referee position in the Birmingham Division. The following is information related to the position, required knowledge and skills, as well as the qualifications for the position. Candidates should e-mail a resume to Emily MacMahon, Judicial Assistant, at emily.macmahon@alacourt.gov no later than September 15, 2024.
COURT REFEREE POSITION
This is highly responsible professional legal work conducting formal judicial hearings in juvenile delinquency and dependency, child support and custody cases. Work requires familiarity with state civil statutes and rules and federal child support guidelines. Duties include presiding over hearings, ruling on proceedings, maintaining order and proper decorum, administering oaths, hearing testimony, ruling on admissibility of evidence and other matters of law, and drafting decisions and orders. Employees are authorized to regulate proceedings by their appointing judge and court rule. Determinations made are either appealed to or otherwise reviewed by the appointing judge.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
• Acts as a court referee in juvenile cases; conducts preliminary and 72 hour detention hearing involving the disposition, custody, control or protection of delinquent, dependent or neglected children; accepts pleas of guilty and makes determination regarding probation, length of sentence and place of confinement; drafts conclusions and recommendations and submits to all parties involved and to the judge for review.
• Interprets laws and gives procedural advice to attorneys, probation officers, social workers, etc.; recommends changes in policies, rules and procedures in area of responsibility to the judge of the court.
• Consults with parents, attorneys, employers, probation officers and various other local and state officials in regard to the disposition of cases.
• Recommends changes in policies, rules and procedures in area of responsibility to the judge of the court.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Thorough knowledge of Federal and State laws, rules and regulations in assigned area of responsibility.
• Thorough knowledge of legal documents, court procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Thorough knowledge of the application of legal principles to individual cases.
• Ability to analyze facts, evidence and precedents, and to arrive at a logical conclusion.
• Ability to draft orders and set forth findings of facts and decisions clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Graduation from an approved school of law.
• Certificate of admission to the Alabama State Bar.
• Considerable experience as a practicing attorney in the juvenile court.