There is hereby created a municipal court in and for the city.
(1973 Code, sec. 17-1; 1991 Code, sec. 18-1; 2007 Code, sec. 26-1)
The municipal court shall have jurisdiction within the city with the power to hear and determine all cases of violation of this code, the ordinances of the city, and all other cases of which municipal courts are given jurisdiction by state law.
(1973 Code, sec. 17-2; 1991 Code, sec. 18-2; 2007 Code, sec. 26-2)
The rules of practice and procedure as prescribed by state law governing trials in municipal and justice courts shall govern the procedure and practice of the municipal court. The city council may prescribe such additional rules of practice and procedure as may not be inconsistent with state law.
(1973 Code, sec. 17-3; 1991 Code, sec. 18-3; 2007 Code, sec. 26-3)
(a) 
Generally.
There is created an office of judge of the municipal court, who shall have all the power and authority as granted by and shall perform the duties as required by state law, the city charter and the city ordinances. The judge of the municipal court shall be a magistrate and shall have all of the powers and authority prescribed by state law, the charter and ordinances of the city as such.
(b) 
Term; appointment.
The municipal court shall have a two-year term beginning on the first day of September of each odd-numbered year and extending through August 31st of the next following odd-numbered year. The municipal court judge shall serve for the specific term, or the unexpired portion thereof, of the municipal court. The municipal court judge shall also serve after the expiration of their respective term of office until their successor is appointed and shall have qualified; provided, however, that any judge who is not reappointed or replaced by the November 30th following the end of their term shall, absent action by the council, continue to serve for another term of office. The city manager shall appoint the municipal court judge and with the approval of the city council.
(c) 
Temporary judges.
In the event of the temporary failure, inability or refusal of the municipal court judge to act, a temporary judge may be appointed by the city manager with the approval of the city council. The temporary judge must have the same qualifications as the municipal court judge and will have the same powers and duties as that judge. The temporary judge shall serve in that capacity until the municipal court judge returns or the current term of the municipal court expires, whichever occurs first.
(d) 
Oath.
The municipal court judge, prior to taking office, shall take the requisite oath of office required by the constitution and state law.
(e) 
Vacancy in office.
In the event of a permanent vacancy in the office of the municipal court judge, the city manager shall appoint with approval of the city council an individual to fill said vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term of office only.
(Ordinance 16-780, sec. 1, adopted 5/31/16; 2007 Code, sec. 26-4)
The judge of the municipal court shall have the qualifications provided by law for other city officials; he need not be a licensed attorney.
(1973 Code, sec. 17-5; 1991 Code, sec. 18-5; 2007 Code, sec. 26-5)
There shall be appointed by the city manager a clerk and such deputy clerks of the municipal court as may be deemed necessary for the proper, efficient operation of such court.
(1973 Code, sec. 17-7; 1991 Code, sec. 18-6; 2007 Code, sec. 26-6)
The clerk, and deputy clerks, of the municipal court shall perform all the duties and have all the powers bestowed upon clerks of municipal courts by state law. Any clerk or deputy clerk so appointed may act as the official clerk of the municipal court and perform all acts incident to such office.
(1973 Code, sec. 17-8; 1991 Code, sec. 18-7; 2007 Code, sec. 26-7)
Any defendant convicted of a misdemeanor in municipal court must pay a security fee in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code as a cost of court. The fee will be administered and used for the purposes authorized by Vernon’s Ann. C.C.P. article 102.017.
(1991 Code, sec. 18-8; Ordinance 04-590, sec. 1, adopted 4/22/04; 2007 Code, sec. 26-8)
(a) 
Established.
(1) 
There is hereby created and established a municipal court technology fund, herein known as the fund, pursuant to Vernon’s Ann. C.C.P. article 102.0172.
(2) 
The fund may be maintained in an interest-bearing account and may be maintained in the general revenue account.
(b) 
Fee.
(1) 
The fee shall be in the amount set forth in the fee schedule in appendix A of this code.
(2) 
The fee shall be assessed and collected from the defendant upon conviction for a misdemeanor offense in the municipal court as a cost of court. A defendant is considered convicted if:
(A) 
Judgment, sentence or both are imposed on the person;
(B) 
The person is placed on deferred disposition; or
(C) 
The court defers final disposition or imposition of the judgment or sentence.
(3) 
The fee shall be collected on conviction for an offense committed on or after November 21, 2005.
(4) 
The clerk of the court shall collect the fee and pay the fee to the finance director of the city, who shall deposit the fee into the municipal court technology fund.
(c) 
Designated use of fund; administration.
(1) 
The fund shall be used only for the purpose of financing the purchase of or to maintain technology enhancements for the municipal court of the city. Technology enhancements shall include any and all items described in Vernon’s Ann. C.C.P. article 102.0172.
(2) 
The fund shall be administered by or under the direction of the city council.
(1991 Code, sec. 18-8; Ordinance 06-614 adopted 11/10/05; 2007 Code, sec. 26-9; Ordinance adopting 2022 Code)