§ 9.06. Municipal court.

(a)

There is hereby created and established a court to be the municipal court of the city, which court shall have jurisdiction within the territorial limits of said city of all criminal cases arising under the ordinances of such city, and shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the justice of the peace of the precinct in which the city is or may be situated of all criminal cases arising under the criminal laws of the state, where the offense is committed within the territorial limits of said city and the punishment is by fine only with the maximum of said fine, being that which is established under the laws of this state. The court shall have civil jurisdiction as conferred by state law. It shall also have jurisdiction over criminal offenses committed outside the corporate limits of the city under ordinances authorized by state law, including, but not limited to those enacted for the preservation of the city's water system, watersheds of the city's water supply and the purity of the water supply, the city's sewer disposal plant and the city's garbage dumping grounds; violations committed on municipal property; and any nuisance within five thousand feet outside of the corporate limits of the city.

(b)

The judge of said court shall be designated as judge of the municipal court, and shall be selected as provided by law. If the judge is selected by election, the term limitations imposed upon elected officials in Section 3.01a of this charter also apply to the judge's position.

(c)

The judge of the municipal court shall have power to punish for contempt to the same extent and under the same circumstances as the justice of the peace may punish for contempt in all criminal cases.

(d)

The term of office of the judge of the municipal court shall be established by ordinance in accordance with state law. The city council shall have the authority to remove the municipal court judge for good cause as determined by the council. A hearing shall be held if requested by the judge, and removal shall require an affirmative vote of at least 2/3 of the members of the council.

(e)

The judge of the municipal court shall serve as a part-time judge and must reside in, and be engaged in the private practice of law in Tarrant County, Texas.

(f)

All complaints, prosecution, the service of process, commitment of those convicted of offenses, the collection and payment of fines, the attendance and service of witnesses and juries, punishment for contempt, bail and the taking of bonds shall be governed by the provisions of Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. ch. 45 applicable to municipal courts.

(Ord. of 11-17-08)

State law reference

Municipal courts, V.T.C.A., Government Code chs. 29, 30; procedures, Vernon's Ann. C.C.P. art. 45.01 et seq.