[Ord. No. 4058 §1(Prop. 5), 12-11-2006]
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 as provided by law for appeals from Municipal Courts in St. Louis County. The Municipal Court may punish contempt of court by the highest fine or longest incarceration or both as permitted by state law. 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.
[Ord. No. 1129 §1(Prop. 7), 12-16-1985; Ord. No. 1684 §1(Prop. 3), 1-23-1995; Ord. No. 4057 §1(Prop. 4), 12-11-2006]
The Municipal Court shall be presided over by a judge nominated and appointed by the mayor as provided in Section 4.4(j) of this charter for a term of four (4) years. The judge and Municipal Court shall be independent of the mayor and the city council, except for appointment and removal. He or she shall be a resident of the state. He or she shall also be a licensed member of the Bar of this State, and shall have been actively engaged in the general practice of law during the five (5) year period prior to appointment. He or she may be removed from office upon the recommendation of the mayor and an affirmative vote of four (4) council members or, without the recommendation of the mayor, by an affirmative vote of six (6) council members. A provisional judge, having the same qualifications as the municipal judge, shall be appointed in the same manner as the municipal judge. The provisional judge shall serve at any time when the municipal judge is temporarily absent or unable to serve. The compensation of both the municipal judge and the provisional judge shall be determined by the city council. The terms of the municipal judge and provisional judge shall be four (4) years, the first term commencing on April 12, 1976. In the event of a vacancy in the office of municipal judge the mayor shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term pursuant to Section 4.4(j) of this charter.
The Chief of Police and his subordinates shall serve as the marshal and deputy marshals of the Municipal Court and shall enforce its orders, judgments and decrees.
All Municipal Court proceedings shall be as required by state law, Supreme Court Rules, this charter or city ordinances.