(a) Cases arising out of violations of the ordinances of the City shall be tried by the existing Municipal Court created by State law or a lawful successor of such court created by State law; provided, that the Council, by ordinance, shall have the power to create a Municipal Court to hear and determine such cases if and when it deems it necessary or desirable to do so.
(b) The Council shall appoint a Judge of the Municipal Court on the first Tuesday in June in every odd-numbered year or as soon thereafter as practicable. The Municipal Judge shall serve for a term of two (2) years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The Council may suspend or remove the Municipal Judge by a majority vote of all the members of the City Council. The Municipal Judge shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine all cases involving offenses against the Charter and ordinances of the City. The Municipal Judge shall have the power to issue warrants; collect fines, costs, and bond forfeitures; and to commit to jail for nonpayment of fines and/or costs. The style of all process shall be in the name of the City. The Municipal Judge shall keep a docket of all proceedings of the Municipal Court showing the names of the defendant, the complaining party, the arresting officer, the offense charged, and the disposition of all cases and of all fines, costs, bond forfeitures and other money collected. The Municipal Judge shall make a monthly report to the Council giving the information above specified, and shall oversee the collection of all fines, costs, forfeitures, and other money collected and belonging to the City. The Municipal Judge shall perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by law, this Charter, or ordinance. The Municipal Judge may administer oaths, make and enforce all proper orders, rules and judgments, and punish for contempt as provided by law.
(Amended 2-12-19)