The Council may continue the court known as the municipal court
and prescribe the time and place the court shall transact judicial
business. The jurisdiction and proceedings of the municipal court
are governed by the general laws of the state for justices of the
peace and justice courts except as City ordinance prescribes to the
contrary. The municipal court has jurisdiction over all offenses defined
and made punishable, and over all actions to recover or enforce forfeitures
or penalties defined or authorized, by the ordinances of the City.
(1)
The
municipal judge may:
(a)
Render judgments and may impose sanctions for the enforcement thereof
on persons and property within its jurisdiction;
(b)
Cause the arrest of any person accused of an offense against the
City;
(c)
Commit to jail or admit to bail anyone accused of a City offense;
(d)
Issue and compel obedience to subpoenas;
(e)
Compel witnesses to appear and testify or jurors to serve in the
trial of any cause before the municipal court;
(f)
Punish witnesses and others for contempt of court;
(g)
Issue any process necessary to carry into effect the judgment of
the municipal court, including search warrants; and
(h)
Perform other judicial or quasi-judicial functions as the Council
prescribes by general ordinance.
The Council may appoint a municipal judge and such pro tem judges
as it deems necessary to serve for indefinite terms to hold office
at the pleasure of the Council and may remove any of them any time,
with or without cause, by two-thirds vote of the entire Council.
If the office of municipal judge becomes vacant or if the municipal
judge is absent from the City or unable to perform the duties of municipal
judge, the City Council may appoint a municipal judge pro tem. The
municipal judge pro tem shall perform the duties of municipal judge.
The term of municipal judge pro tem shall end when the municipal judge
returns to the City or takes office.
