(A) The Judge of the Municipal Court of record in the city shall be appointed by the City Council by ordinance as required by Tex. Gov't Code § 30.00006(b). The Municipal Judge must be a licensed attorney in good standing in the state, and must have two or more years of experience in the practice of law in Texas. The Judge must be a citizen of the U.S. and of the state. The City Council shall establish the salary of the Judge, which shall not be based directly or indirectly on fines or costs collected by the court. The salary may not be diminished during the term for which the Judge is appointed.
(B) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a Municipal Judge of a court of record, the City Council shall by ordinance appoint a qualified person to fill the office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The City Council may appoint one or more qualified persons as an Associate Judge to be available to serve for a Municipal Judge who is temporarily absent due to illness, family death, continuing legal or judicial education programs, or any other reason. The Municipal Judge shall select one of the qualified persons appointed by the City Council to serve during the absence of the Municipal Judge. The Associate Judge, while serving as a Municipal Judge, has all the powers and shall discharge all the duties of a Municipal Judge. An Associate Judge must meet the qualifications prescribed for the Municipal Judge. The City Council shall set the compensation for the Associate Judge.
('68 Code, § 9-2) (Ord. passed 8-11-70; Am. Ord. 02-2011-03, passed 2-22-11; Am. Ord. 03-2013- 11, passed 3-12-13)
Cross-reference:
Municipal Court Judge, see Charter § 4.10