§ 4.03. Municipal Court.

A.

Municipal Court Established. There shall be established and maintained a court, designated as the Municipal Court for the trial of misdemeanor offenses and other matters as provided by State law or ordinance. The Municipal Court shall perform such other duties and functions appropriate for the Municipal Court as are established by ordinance not inconsistent with State law. The Municipal Court shall have all such other powers and duties as are now, or may in the future be prescribed by laws of the State of Texas, relative to municipal courts.

B.

Presiding Judge. The Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court shall be appointed by the City Council and shall hold office for two years from the date of appointment unless sooner removed by a majority of the members of the City Council as provided for herein. The Presiding Judge shall have such qualifications as are required by the City Council and State law, shall report to the City Council, shall be required to participate in training programs available for municipal judges, and shall receive such salary as fixed by the City Council.

C.

Court Clerk. There shall be a clerk of the Municipal Court, and such deputies as the City Council may deem advisable, who shall be appointed by the City Manager.

D.

Duties of Clerk. The Clerk and Deputies of the Municipal Court shall have the power to administer oaths and affidavits, make certificates, affix the seal of the Municipal Court and generally do and perform any and all acts usual and necessary to be performed by the clerks of courts in issuing process and conducting business.

E.

Additional Judges. The City Council shall have the power to appoint alternate judges who may serve in the temporary absence of the Presiding Judge. Alternate Judges serve at the pleasure of the City Council.

F.

Removal of Presiding Judge. The Presiding Judge may, subject to the other provisions of this subsection, be removed from office for willful or persistent violation of rules promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas, incompetence in performing the duties of the office, willful violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, or willful or persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of his duties or casts public discredit upon the judiciary or administration of justice. Any person holding such office may be disciplined or censured, in lieu of removal from office, as provided by this section. Any person holding an office specified in this subsection may be suspended from office with or without pay by the City Council immediately on being indicted by a State or Federal grand jury for a felony offense or charged with a misdemeanor involving official misconduct. Upon the motion of the City Council or on the filing of a sworn complaint charging a person holding such office with willful or persistent violation of rules promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas, incompetence in performing the duties of the office, willful violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, or willful and persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of his duties or casts public discredit on the judiciary or on the administration of justice, the City Council, after giving the person notice and an opportunity to appear and be heard before the City Council may, after considering the record of such appearance may, suspend with or without pay, censure, or otherwise discipline the Judge; or remove the Judge from office.

(Ord. No. 2013-01, § 2, 1-22-13)