Chapter 2.16
MUNICIPAL JUDGE
Sections:
2.16.010 Term.
2.16.020 Oath.
2.16.030 Bond.
2.16.040 Compensation.
2.16.041 Appointment, term – Municipal Court Judges Pro Tem.
2.16.042 Compensation – Municipal Court Judges Pro Tem.
2.16.044 Temporary Judge Pro Tem.
2.16.050 Legal requirement.
2.16.060 Compliance with rules for appeal required.
2.16.070 Frequency of holding court.
2.16.080 Penalty for unlawful acts.
2.16.010 Term.
The term of the Municipal Judge of the City shall be for four years, as is provided by RCW 3.50.040. (Ord. 579 § 2, 1978)
2.16.020 Oath.
Before entering upon his duties, the Municipal Judge shall take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the state, and to perform the duties of the office faithfully and impartially and to the best of his ability in the manner prescribed for justices of the peace in RCW 3.34.080. (Ord. 579 § 3, 1978)
2.16.030 Bond.
The Municipal Judge shall not be required to give a bond for the faithful performance of his duties unless and until hereafter required by ordinance pursuant to RCW 3.50.097. (Ord. 579 § 4, 1978)
2.16.040 Compensation.
The compensation for the Municipal Court Judge shall be according to the attached “Agreement for Professional Services – Ferndale Municipal Court Judge” (Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this section) and any amendments thereto as approved by ordinance of the City Council. (Ord. 1167 § 3, 1997; Ord. 1028 § 1, 1993; Ord. 579 §§ 6, 7, 1978)
2.16.041 Appointment, term – Municipal Court Judges Pro Tem.
Pursuant to RCW 3.50.090, the City Administrator is authorized to appoint, in writing, Judges Pro Tem who shall act in the absence or disability of the regular Judge or subsequent to the filing of an affidavit of prejudice. Such Judges Pro Tem shall be qualified to hold the position of Judge of the Municipal Court, but need not be confirmed by the City Council. The term of appointment of Judges Pro Tem shall be specified in writing. (Ord. 1167 § 2, 1997)
2.16.042 Compensation – Municipal Court Judges Pro Tem.
The compensation for the Municipal Court Judges Pro Tem shall be according to the attached “Agreement for Professional Services – Ferndale Municipal Court Judge” (Exhibit “A” attached to the ordinance codified in this section) and any amendments thereto as approved by ordinance of the City Council. (Ord. 1167 § 3, 1997; Ord. 1028 § 2, 1993; Ord. 871 § 4, 1989)
2.16.044 Temporary Judge Pro Tem.
In the event that the Ferndale Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem is for some reason unable to serve when needed, the City Administrator of the City may procure a judge or attorney in good professional standing to serve as a temporary Judge Pro Tem for a specific case or purpose pursuant to RCW 3.50.090. (Ord. 871 § 5, 1989)
2.16.050 Legal requirement.
No person who is not a lawyer admitted to practice law in the state of Washington shall perform any duties or enjoy any privileges prescribed by law for the Judge of the Municipal Court. (Ord. 694 § 2, 1983)
2.16.060 Compliance with rules for appeal required.
The Municipal Court Judge shall exert his best efforts to continue to conduct the proceedings of the Municipal Court in accordance with the electronic recording procedures specified by rules for appeal of decisions of courts of limited jurisdiction. (Ord. 694 § 4, 1983)
2.16.070 Frequency of holding court.
Unless and until hereafter revised by ordinance, the Municipal Judge shall hold court in the City on at least one day of each week unless the business of the court may be accomplished by holding court on a less frequent basis. (Ord. 579 § 5, 1978)
2.16.080 Penalty for unlawful acts.
Any person who lacks the consent or the authority of the Municipal Court Judge and who assumes, or attempts to assume, any undelegated duties or privileges of the Judge of the Municipal Court without first being appointed to that position and without first being admitted to the practice of law in the state shall be subject to the misdemeanor penalties prescribed for other City ordinance violations in FMC 9.01.060. (Ord. 694 § 3, 1983)