(A) Qualifications. There shall be one Judge of the Court who meets the requirement set forth by statute and, if he or she be licensed to practice law in the state, said Judge may engage in the practice of law in other courts, but he or she shall not accept employment inconsistent with his or her duties as Judge, or arising out of facts which give rise to or are connected with prosecutions in the court.
(B) Term. The official term of the Judge shall be two years, expiring on June 30, each odd numbered year. Each Judge shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified, unless removed for proper cause.
(C) Alternate Judge. There shall be appointed for each Judge of the Court an Alternate Judge possessing the same qualifications as the Judge. His or her appointment shall be for the same term and made in the same manner of the Judge. He or she shall sit as Acting Judge of the Court in any case where the Judge is:
(1) Absent from the Court;
(2) Unable to act as Judge; or
(3) Disqualified from acting as Judge in the case.
(D) Acting Judge. If at any time there is no Judge or Alternate Judge, duly appointed and qualified, available to sit as Judge, the President of the Board of Trustees shall appoint some person, possessing the same qualifications as the Judge, who shall preside as Acting Judge over the Court in the disposition of pending matters until such time as the Judge or Alternate Judge shall be available.
(E) Appointment. The Judge and Alternate Judge shall be appointed by the Mayor of the Board of Trustees with the consent of the governing body. A proposed appointment shall be submitted in writing to the governing body at the next to the last regularly scheduled meeting prior to the day upon which the appointment is to take effect, and shall be acted upon at the next regularly scheduled meeting. The governing body may decide upon the proposed appointment by a majority vote of a quorum present and acting. Failure of decision upon a proposed appointment shall not prevent action thereon at a later regularly scheduled meeting of the governing body unless the President of the Board of Trustees, in writing, withdraws the proposed appointment.
(F) Compensation.
(1) A Judge, other than an Alternate Judge or an Acting Judge, shall receive a salary as set by motion or resolution of the Board of Trustees and paid in the same manner as the salaries of other officials of the municipality.
(2) An Alternate Judge or an Acting Judge shall serve and be paid a wage as determined by a motion or resolution of the Board of Trustees.
(G) Removal.
(1) Judges shall be subject to removal from office, by the governing body, for the causes prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the state for the removal of public officers. Proceedings for removal shall be instituted by the filing of a verified written petition, setting forth facts sufficient to constitute one or more legal grounds for removal. Petitions may be signed and filed by:
(a) The Mayor of the Board of Trustees; or
(b) Twenty-five or more qualified electors of the municipality.
(2) In the latter event, verification may be executed by one or more of the petitioners. The governing body shall set a date for hearing on the matter, and shall cause notice thereof, together with a copy of the petition, to be served personally upon the judge at least ten days before the hearing.
(3) At the hearing, the Judge shall be entitled:
(a) To representation by counsel;
(b) To present testimony and to cross examine the witnesses against him or her; and
(c) To have all evidence against him or her presented in open hearing.
(4) So far as they can be made applicable, the provisions of the state’s Administrative Procedure Act governing individual proceedings and any amendments or additions thereto in effect at the time of the hearing shall govern removal proceedings hereunder. Judgment of removal shall be entered only upon the individual votes by a majority of all members of the governing body in favor of such removal.
(H) Vacancy.
(1) A vacancy in the office of Judge shall occur if the incumbent:
(a) Dies;
(b) Resigns;
(c) Ceases to possess the qualifications for the office; or
(d) Is removed, and the removal proceeding has been affirmed finally in judicial proceedings or is no longer subject to judicial review.
(2) Upon the occurrence of a vacancy in the office of Judge, the Mayor of the Board of Trustees shall appoint a successor to complete the unexpired term, upon the same procedure as an original appointment is made.
(Prior Code, § 1-9-4) (Ord. 2005-4, passed 9-12-2005)
Statutory reference:
Administrative Procedure Act, see 75 O.S. § 250.1-323