(a) 
The City Council shall have the power to create and appoint additional associate judges as provided by law.
(b) 
Associate judges shall serve for a term of two years and shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the City Council.
(c) 
Associate judges must be residents of the State of Texas.
(d) 
An Associate Municipal Court Judge may hear and determine any matter over which the municipal court has jurisdiction. The municipal judges may exchange benches and act for each other in any proceeding pending in the court. An act performed by any of the judges is binding on all parties to the proceeding.
(e) 
The Presiding Municipal Judge retains authority over court administration and docket control.
(f) 
Associate judges may be removed from office by the City Council:
(1) 
As provided by the Texas Constitution, article 5, section 1-a; or
(2) 
For the reasons and by the procedure provided in Texas Local Government Code, chapter 21, subchapter B.
(Ordinance 915 adopted 1/12/2026)
The fine shall be assessed and collected from a defendant after due notice upon conviction for a misdemeanor offense in the municipal court under section 38.10, Texas Penal Code (failure to appear), or section 543.009, Texas Transportation Code (violation of promise to appear). A defendant is considered convicted if:
(1) 
A sentence is imposed on the person;
(2) 
The person receives community supervision, including deferred adjudication community supervision; or
(3) 
The court defers final disposition of the person’s case.
(Ordinance 522 adopted 12/9/19)
The fine shall be for the use and benefit of the city.
(Ordinance 522 adopted 12/9/19)