Chapter 2.68
MUNICIPAL COURT

Sections:

2.68.010    Appointment of judge and authority – Salary.

2.68.020    Statutes and rules adopted and additional authority of the municipal department in the district court.

2.68.900    Severability.

2.68.010 Appointment of judge and authority – Salary.

The city of Prosser hereby creates a municipal court to be administered in accordance with the terms of the interlocal agreement with Benton County, Washington. The municipal court shall have all authority vested in municipal courts by the laws of the state of Washington and all of the authority established by the adopted Rules of the Court. The mayor shall appoint a part-time judge or part-time judges, all of whom must be district court judges of the Benton County District Court. Such appointment shall continue for the full term of the judge or judges so appointed. The mayor may appoint all of the district court judges as part-time judges. In the event that any appointed part-time judge retires, resigns, or begins a new term, the mayor may reappoint the part-time judge, if re-elected by the voters of Benton County, or appoint another part-time judge or judges, who must be a district court judge of Benton County, Washington. The judge, or judges, so appointed shall have full authority to hear violations of city ordinances and appoint commissioners as provided for in RCW Title 3, or as otherwise provided by law. The judge, or judges, so appointed shall have full authority to appoint judges pro tem to the fullest extent allowed by the laws of the state of Washington. The salary and benefits of the district court judges appointed by the mayor shall be set in accordance with RCW Title 3, and the personnel policy of Benton County. (Ord. 2670 § 2, 2009; Ord. 2579 § 3, 2007).

2.68.020 Statutes and rules adopted and additional authority of the municipal department in the district court.

In addition to, and not in way of limitation of, the authority of the municipal court judges, pursuant to authority contained in RCW 35A.12.140, the sections enumerated below of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Rules of the Court, as now codified or hereafter amended, are hereby adopted by reference: RCW Titles 3, 10, and 12, and Limited Jurisdiction Court Criminal Rules (CrRLJ), and Limited Jurisdiction Court Infractions (IRLJ). The district court judges so appointed by the city shall have full authority to adopt any additional court rules, or rules of procedure, including the rules of evidence as the court deems appropriate or necessary to the administration of justice. (Ord. 2670 § 3, 2009; Ord. 2579 § 3, 2007).

2.68.900 Severability.

The provisions of this chapter are hereby declared to be severable. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of this chapter shall not as a result of said section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase be held unconstitutional or invalid. (Ord. 2579 § 4, 2007).