A. Qualifications:
1. There shall be one judge of the court. A judge must be duly licensed to practice law in the state of Oklahoma. He or she 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 cases within the jurisdiction of the court pending therein or which might become the subject of proceedings therein. (2002 Code § 2.36.040)
2. The judge shall be a resident of Tulsa County or an adjoining county or shall maintain a law practice within Tulsa County. (2002 Code § 2.36.080; amd. 2013 Code)
B. Term Of Judge: The official term of the judge shall be two (2) years, expiring on the first Monday in June of each odd numbered year. (2002 Code § 2.36.050)
C. Alternate Judge: There may be appointed for each judge of the court, an alternate judge, possessed of the same qualifications as the judge. His or her appointment shall be for the same term and made in the same manner as the judge. He or she shall sit as acting judge of the court in any case if the judge is: 1) absent from the court; 2) unable to act as judge; or 3) disqualified from acting as judge in the case. (2002 Code § 2.36.060)
D. Acting Judge: If, at any time, there is no judge or alternate judge duly appointed and qualified available to sit as judge, the mayor shall appoint some person, possessed of the same qualifications as the judge, as judge, who shall preside as acting judge over the court in the disposition of pending matters until such time as a judge or alternate judge shall be available. (2002 Code § 2.36.070; amd. 2013 Code)
E. Appointment Of Judge And Alternate Judge: Judges and alternate judges shall be licensed to practice law in Oklahoma and be appointed by the mayor, 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 for 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 mayor, in writing, withdraws the proposed appointment. (2002 Code § 2.36.080)
F. Compensation: A presiding judge shall receive such compensation as the city, by motion or resolution, may determine. (2002 Code § 2.36.090)
G. Removal:
1. Removal For Cause: 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.
2. Filing Of Petition: 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; or b) twenty five (25) or more qualified electors of the municipality. In the latter event, verification may be executed by one or more of the petitioners.
3. Hearing; Notice: The governing body shall set a date for hearing the matter and shall cause notice thereof, together with a copy of the petition, to be served personally upon the judge at least ten (10) days before the hearing. 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. Procedures: So far as they can be made applicable, the provisions of the Oklahoma administrative procedure act governing individual proceedings 1 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 individual votes by a majority of all members of the governing body in favor of such removal. (2002 Code § 2.36.100)
Notes
| 1 | 1. 75 OS §§ 309 - 317. |