(A) (1) Municipal Court jurisdiction. The Municipal Court of the city shall have exclusive original jurisdiction within the corporate limits of the city in all criminal cases in which the punishment is a fine only and where the maximum of the fine does not exceed $2,000 in all cases arising under ordinances of the city that govern fire safety, zoning or public health and sanitation, including dumping of refuse and where the maximum of the fines does not exceed $500 in all other cases arising under the ordinances of the city. The Municipal Court of the city shall have concurrent jurisdiction with any Justice of the Peace in any precinct in which the city is situated in all other criminal cases arising under the criminal laws of the state, in which punishment is by fine only and where the maximum of the fine may not exceed $500 and arising within the corporate limits.
(2) Penalties for violations of regulations governing fire safety, zoning or public health and sanitation.
(a) Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provisions of the ordinances of the city relating to fire safety, zoning or public health and sanitation including dumping of refuse or any order made under the authority of the ordinances or who causes or permits any violation, or who fails to perform any act required under the ordinances of the city or does any prohibited act or takes any action contrary to plans approved by the City Council or fails to take any action required, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $2,000. Each and every day on which any violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.
(b) The owner or tenant of any building, structure or premises and any architect, builder, contractor, agent or other person who knowingly commits, participates in, assists in or maintains the violation may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided and shall likewise be subject to civil penalties as provided in the ordinances.
(3) Penalties for violation of all other ordinances.
(a) Any person, firm or corporation who violates any provisions of the ordinances of the city not specifically relating to fire safety, zoning or public health and sanitation including the dumping of refuse, or any order made under the authority of the ordinances or who causes or permits any violation, or who fails to perform any act required under the ordinances of the city or does any prohibited act or takes any action contrary to plans approved by the City Council or fails to take any action required, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500. Each and every day on which any violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such.
(b) The owner or tenant of any building, structure or premises and any architect, builder, contractor, agent or other person who knowingly commits, participates in, assists in or maintains the violation may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided and shall likewise be subject to civil penalties as provided herein.
(4) Effective date. This division (A) shall become effective on 10-4-1987.
(B) (1) Pursuant to Tex. Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 102.011(a), there is hereby assessed a special expense for the issuance and service of each warrant of arrest, after due notice, of $50 against the defendant.
(2) The Municipal Court shall collect the assessment and pay it into the City Treasury for the use and benefit of the city.
(Ord. 870217, passed 2-17-1987; Ord. 870915A, passed 9-15-1987; Ord. 891003A, passed 1-3-1989; Ord. 911105, passed 11-5-1991; Ord. 9206156, passed 6-16-1992; Ord. 990907A, passed 9-7-1999)
Statutory reference:
Municipal penalties, see Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code, § 54.001