Chapter 2.16
MUNICIPAL COURT

Sections:

2.16.010    Established

2.16.020    Magistrate and Assistant Magistrate–Appointed

2.16.030    Magistrate–Term of Office

2.16.040    Docket

2.16.050    Monthly Reports to Council

2.16.060    Warrant Fee and Civil Traffic Default Fee

2.16.070    Courtroom to be Provided

2.16.080    Defendants Not Entitled to Jury Trial

2.16.010 Established

In pursuance of the provisions of Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 22-402, there is established a municipal court in and for the city. (Ord. 894 2002, prior code § 14-26)

(Manual, Amended, 10/21/2002)

2.16.020 Magistrate and Assistant Magistrate–Appointed

There shall be appointed by the council a city magistrate to preside over the municipal court and such assistants as are necessary to the performance of the office. The magistrate shall serve for a two-year term. (Ord. 894 2002, Ord. 734 (part), 1997: prior code § 14-27)

(Manual, Amended, 10/21/2002)

2.16.030 Magistrate–Term of Office

The presiding officer of the municipal court shall be known as the city magistrate, and such city magistrate and other magistrates as deemed necessary by the council shall be appointed by the council. A magistrate shall serve for a term of two years with the beginning and end of the term to be specified at the time of appointment. During such term, a magistrate may be removed only for cause. (Ord. 894 2002, Ord. 734 (part), 1997: prior code § 2-31)

(Manual, Amended, 10/21/2002)

2.16.040 Docket

The magistrate shall keep a docket to be furnished by the city, in the same manner as dockets are required by law to be kept by justices of the peace. (Ord. 734 (part), 1997: prior code § 14-28)

2.16.050 Monthly Reports to Council

The magistrate shall make monthly reports to the council of all fines imposed and collected and of all sentences of imprisonment imposed and the term and nature thereof. (Ord. 734 (part), 1997: prior code § 14-29)

2.16.060 Warrant Fee and Civil Traffic Default Fee

The magistrate shall have the authority to assess a defendant a fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) upon the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of that defendant. The magistrate shall also have the authority to assess a defendant a fifty dollar ($50.00) fee if a failure to appear warrant has been issued and the defendant appears voluntarily before the arrest on the failure to appear warrant. The magistrate shall have the authority to assess a defendant a fee of forty dollars ($40.00) for each civil traffic charge which results in a default judgment. The city magistrate shall also have the authority to assess a defendant a four dollar ($4.00) automation fee for each civil and criminal charge. The fee shall be subject to modification by the city council. There shall be a cap on automation increases up to five dollars ($5.00) per increase. The magistrate shall further be authorized to take such action as may be necessary to collect the aforesaid fees, and shall have the authority to increase said fees or add to said fees the charges assessed by the court or any collection agency in doing so. (Ord. 956 2004; Ord. 919 2003, Ord. 734 (part), 1997: Ord. 703, 1996: prior code § 2-32)

(Manual, Amended, 12/31/2004; Manual, Amended, 11/12/2004; Manual, Amended, 07/21/2003)

2.16.070 Courtroom to be Provided

The council shall provide a suitable place for a courtroom for the municipal court. (Ord. 894 2002, Prior code § 14-30)

(Manual, Amended, 10/21/2002)

2.16.080 Defendants Not Entitled to Jury Trial

No person answering in the municipal court for the breach of any ordinance of the city shall be entitled to a trial by jury. (Ord. 894 2002, prior code § 14-31)

(Manual, Amended, 10/21/2002)