There is hereby created and constituted a municipal court for the city, with full jurisdiction as provided for in V.T.C.A., Government Code, chapter 29. The municipal court for the city shall meet and hold regular sessions to hear and determine all cases arising before it, such sessions to be held and called by the municipal judge.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
(a) 
The municipal court shall be presided over by the municipal court judge appointed by the city council for a term of office of two years. A municipal court judge who is not reappointed by the 91st day following the expiration of a term of office shall, absent action by the city council, continue to serve for another term of office beginning on the date the previous term of office expired. The municipal court judge shall be compensated from the city general fund in an amount set by the city council in their discretion The municipal court judge shall be the presiding magistrate of the municipal court and shall have all of the powers and authority given to him by the laws of this state.
(b) 
If a municipal court judge is temporarily unable to act, the city council may appoint one or more persons meeting the qualifications for the position to sit for the regular municipal judge. The appointee has all powers and duties of the office and is entitled to compensation as set by the city council.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
(a) 
The city manager shall hire or appoint the clerk of the municipal court. The clerk and other court personnel shall perform their duties under the direction of the municipal court judge, but the city manager or their designee shall hire, direct, supervise and remove all personnel authorized in the annual budget for the clerk's office, including the clerk, as they deem appropriate.
(b) 
The position of municipal court clerk is created.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
The municipal court of the city shall meet and hold sessions as necessary to efficiently handle the court's docket, or at other times deemed appropriate by the municipal court judge, in offices or space provided by the city.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
The clerk shall be available to receive fines for violations of city ordinances and the laws of the state and to perform other duties incident to the operation of a municipal court during normal business hours for city hall, excluding holidays approved by the city council.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
The county jail is hereby designated as the official city jail.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
(a) 
Fee imposed.
There is hereby imposed, as a cost of court, a technology fee of $4.00 per conviction in the municipal court.
(b) 
Interpretation of conviction.
For the purposes of this section, a person is considered convicted if:
(1) 
A fine is imposed on the person;
(2) 
The person receives community supervision, including deferred adjudication; or
(3) 
The court defers final disposition of the person's case.
(c) 
Use of funds.
A fund designated by this section may be used only to finance the purchase of or to maintain technological enhancements for a municipal court, including:
(1) 
Computer systems;
(2) 
Computer networks;
(3) 
Computer hardware;
(4) 
Computer software;
(5) 
Imaging systems;
(6) 
Electronic kiosks;
(7) 
Electronic ticket writers; and
(8) 
Docket management systems.
(d) 
Administration.
The municipal court technology fund shall be administered by or under the direction of the city council.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
(a) 
Established.
Pursuant to powers granted by article 102.017 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, a municipal court building security fund is hereby established for the city.
(b) 
Source of funds; payment of fee.
The building security fund shall be funded by a $3.00 charge on each person convicted of a misdemeanor offense in the municipal court of the city. The $3.00 fee shall be taxed as costs of court on each conviction of a misdemeanor offense. Conviction shall include payment of a fine, imposition of community service, imposition of probation, suspension or deferred disposition.
(c) 
Collection of fee.
The clerk of the court or as otherwise designated by the city manager will collect the costs and pay them to the office of the city director of finance for deposit in a fund to be known as the municipal court building security fund.
(d) 
Use of funds.
The building security fund designated by this section may be used only to finance items when used for the purpose of providing security services for buildings housing a district, county, justice, or municipal court, as appropriate, including:
(1) 
The purchase or repair of X-ray machines and conveying systems;
(2) 
Hand-held metal detectors;
(3) 
Walk-through metal detectors;
(4) 
Identification cards and systems;
(5) 
Electronic locking and surveillance equipment;
(6) 
Bailiffs, deputy sheriffs, deputy constables, or contract security personnel during times when they are providing appropriate security services;
(7) 
Signage;
(8) 
Confiscated weapon inventory and tracking systems;
(9) 
Locks, chains, alarms, or similar security devices;
(10) 
The purchase or repair of bulletproof glass; and
(11) 
Continuing education on security issues for court personnel and security personnel.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
In accordance with section 103.0031 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, there is hereby imposed an additional fee of thirty percent (30%) on all debts and accounts receivable, i.e.: fines, fees, court costs, restitution, and other debts that are more than sixty (60) days past due and have been referred to a private firm for collection.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
A fee or special expense not to exceed $25.00 may be assessed and collected for the issuance and service of a warrant of arrest for an offense of failure to appear under Texas Penal Code section 38.10 or under Texas Transportation Code section 543.009, or under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 17.04, relative to a personal bond to appear.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
The municipal court may require the person requesting a driving safety course to pay a fee set by the court at an amount that does not exceed $10.00 including any special fees authorized by statute or municipal ordinance to cover the cost of administering this section. Fees collected under this section by the municipal court shall be deposited in the municipal treasury.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)
Municipal officials who collect fees, fines, court costs, or other charges are authorized to accept payment by credit card.
(Ordinance 888-23 adopted 10/24/2023)