Municipal Court Judge

Job Summary

The City of San Antonio Municipal Court is now accepting applications for a full‑time Municipal Court Judge. Municipal Court Judges perform judicial duties as a municipal judge for the municipal courts of San Antonio. The judge interprets, applies, and enforces local ordinances and applicable State laws by presiding over municipal court sessions, including pre‑trials, trials, hearings, and other judicial proceedings. The judge also functions as a magistrate in accordance with the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art.

15.17, including issuing administrative search warrants. The position requires various hours based on the court schedule and may include evenings, overnight hours, weekends, and holidays. Appointments are for a two‑year term beginning May 1, 2026. Compensation is set by City Council.

• Presiding over jury trials, non‑jury trials, and plea hearings.
• Administering oaths and affirmations, including to jurors and to persons filing complaints with the court.
• Granting continuances where sufficient cause is shown.
• Ruling on motions for new trials.
• Entering the proceedings of each trial in the judge’s docket.
• Assessing punishment for contempt of court charges.
• Conducting driver’s license suspension hearings under the Safety Responsibility Act.
• Performing magistrate duties pursuant to Art. 15.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
• Setting bail in misdemeanor and felony cases.
• Issuing summons, administrative search warrants, and arrest warrants in cases filed in Municipal Court.
• Issuing fugitive warrants and mental health warnings.
• Granting orders of emergency protection, blood draw warrants, juvenile admonishments, and orders for emergency detention.
• Reviewing probable‑cause affidavits and search warrants for all ranges of criminal offenses.

• United States citizenship.
• Licensed attorney in good standing.
• Two (2) or more years of experience practicing law in Texas.
• Three (3) or more years of residency in the City of San Antonio immediately preceding the appointment date.
• Pass a CJIS fingerprint‑based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Disqualifying offenses include felony convictions, felony deferred adjudication, Class A & B misdemeanor deferred adjudication, Class B misdemeanor convictions, an open arrest for any criminal offense (felony or misdemeanor), and family violence convictions.

• Completed and notarized Application Authorizations document (2 pages).
• Completed Municipal Court Judge Application Supplemental Questionnaire (5 pages).
• Completed and signed Municipal Court Judge Background Check Authorization Form (1 page).
• Resume outlining current and relevant experience and credentials.

The City of San Antonio (CoSA) offers a competitive compensation and benefit package, including subsidized health care benefits for active and retired employees, paid disability benefits, paid life insurance, and automatic participation in a pension program matched two to one. For more detailed information, please visit the City’s benefits page:
Benefits offered by the City of San Antonio.

The City of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. The City does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (gender), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or sexual orientation. All individuals are encouraged to apply. If you require assistance during the application process due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources Department at 210‑207‑8705 or fax 210‑207‑2285.