[Ord. No. 1147, § 1, 5-7-1981; Ord. No. 1379, § 1, 6-2-1988; Ord.
No. 2582, 8-13-2020]
The mayor, with the consent and approval of the majority of
the members of the board of alderpersons, shall appoint a city attorney
who shall be licensed to practice law in the State of Missouri and
the Federal courts thereof. The person so appointed shall provide
legal services to the mayor, the members of the board of alderpersons,
and other city officials as shall be designated by the board of alderpersons.
For such services the city attorney shall receive such compensation
as shall be determined by the board of alderpersons from time to time.
[Ord. No. 2582, 8-13-2020]
(a)
It shall
be the duty of an attorney designated by the city to prosecute the
violations of the city's ordinances before the municipal judges or
before the associate circuit judges hearing the violations of the
city's ordinances. The salary or fees of the attorney and his or her
necessary expenses incurred in such prosecutions shall be paid by
the city. The prosecuting attorney of the city shall receive such
compensation as shall be established by the board of alderpersons
by ordinance from time to time as compensation for the duties of such
office. The compensation of such attorney shall not be contingent
upon the result in any case.
(b)
The prosecuting
attorney shall hold office for a period of two (2) years and shall
take office biannually from May 1, beginning in 2021 and ending on
April 30, two (2) years thereafter. Upon expiration of his or her
term the prosecuting attorney shall continue to serve until a successor
is appointed and qualified. If for any reason the prosecuting attorney
vacates office, a successor shall complete that term of office, even
if the same be for less than two (2) years.
[Ord. No. 2582, 8-13-2020]
The duties of a public defender shall be to serve as counsel
when appointed by the municipal judge. The public defender shall represent
persons appearing before the municipal court who are accused of a
violation of the ordinances of the city for which the prosecuting
attorney intends to seek a sentence of confinement. The public defender
shall be appointed upon a person demonstrating to the satisfaction
of the municipal judge that they are unable to employ counsel on their
own behalf and should have counsel appointed to represent them. No
such person shall be sentenced to any period of confinement unless
he or she is represented by counsel. The public defender shall receive
such compensation as shall be established by the board of alderpersons
by ordinance from time to time as compensation for the duties of such
office.
