The Sedona City Council is brushing up on its interviewing skills as the city is seeking to hire a new magistrate judge. Recently, council did not renew the contract of Magistrate Judge Lewis Levin.
However, that does not preclude him from applying for the opening. The position has already been posted using a previously-created job description and brochure.
On the city’s website the position is described as, “The city of Sedona’s magistrate judge serves as presiding officer of the City Court. The judge performs adjudication of petitions for protective orders, violations of Arizona traffic and criminal laws, the charter and municipal ordinances of the city of Sedona, in compliance with the Constitution, Supreme Court rules of procedure, rules of evidence, administrative rules and regulations of the Arizona Supreme Court and the charter and ordinances of the city.”
The part-time position, which has been listed since April 12, pays up to $65,000.
The application window closes May 3. During its April 25 meeting council discussed the matter and the process for hiring a new judge.
A report states that the city council is responsible for appointing three positions — the city manager, city attorney and the magistrate judge.
“The magistrate judge is a unique position in that it has a higher degree of independence than the two other positions,” it states. “Independence is necessary to ensure the court is free from political pressure and can operate in a neutral, objective fashion. The city council is responsible for creating a court and appointing the judge.”
City Manager Justin Clifton said based on the number of applicants the city has received so far, he doesn’t anticipate much of a pre-screening process, if any, by staff prior to the candidates coming before council.
“This is a unique selection because of the independence with which the court operates,” he said. “So this makes the selection a little different. And because of that independence, the selection process can be a little more straight forward compared to something like the city manager or city attorney where you might want different kinds of opinions.”
