There shall be a municipal court which shall have jurisdiction
to hear and determine all cases arising under this charter or the
ordinances of the city, and to assess punishment as therein provided.
There shall be the right of appeal to the circuit court in the same
manner as provided by law for appeals from magistrates in St. Louis
County in criminal cases. The municipal court may punish contempt
of court by fine not exceeding fifty dollars or by imprisonment not
exceeding ten days, or both. It may enforce its orders and judgments
as a court of record may, and render final judgment on any forfeited
bond or recognizance returnable to such court, subject to appeal as
in other cases.
The municipal court shall be presided over by a judge appointed
by the board of aldermen for a term of two years. He shall be a resident
and elector of the city, a licensed member of the bar of this state,
and shall have been in active practice for at least three years. He
shall be removable for cause at any time by a majority vote of the
entire board of aldermen after a public hearing before the board.
He shall receive compensation as determined by ordinance. Whenever
the municipal judge is temporarily absent or unable to act, the mayor
shall appoint an eligible person to act during such absence or disability.
Whenever the office of municipal judge becomes vacant for any reason,
the board of aldermen shall appoint an eligible person for the unexpired
term.
The chief of police and his subordinates shall serve as marshal
and deputy marshals, respectively, of the municipal court and shall
enforce its orders, judgments, and decrees.
The forms of complaints and the conduct of all proceedings in
the municipal court shall be as prescribed by law or ordinance.