Sec. 42-2. - Appointment, term and qualifications of judges; chief judge.

(a)

Number and selection of judges. The court shall be comprised of a number of judges, the exact number of which shall be set from time to time by the mayor. Such judges shall be selected by the mayor with the advice and consent of the city council.

(b)

Term of judges. The term of appointment shall be three years commencing from the date of appointment.

(c)

Qualifications of judges. The judges of the municipal court shall be a lawyer admitted to practice before the supreme court of the state and shall have had at least two years' experience in the active practice of law.

(d)

Designation of chief judge. The mayor may designate a chief judge of the court and shall assign certain duties to that judge regarding administration of the court.

(e)

Appointment of staff. The chief judge of the municipal court may appoint with the approval and consent of the mayor such additional staff as may be necessary. All such staff shall be subject to the unclassified provisions of chapter 48, entitled "Personnel Merit System."

(f)

Powers and duties of chief judge. The chief judge shall have charge of all judicial matters coming before the court and is empowered to set the schedule of all associate justices. The chief judge shall be the sole arbiter of the jurisdiction of the municipal court in accordance with all provisions of the city Charter and the Code of Ordinances of the city. The chief judge and the city clerk shall confer on the preparation of the annual budget of the court and the finalized proposed budget shall be presented by the chief judge.

(g)

Establishment of rules of procedure. The chief judge of the municipal court may promulgate rules of procedure and practice for the adjudication of matters before the municipal court.

(Code 1971, § 13½-2; Ord. No. O-95-11, § I, 5-8-95)