ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 16-3 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, HOUSTON, TEXAS, relating to term limits for Municipal Court Judges

TAGGED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS LASTER; KUBOSH and NGUYEN

This was Item 21 on Agenda of December 9, 2015

This item should only be considered after passage of Item 79 above

The Municipal Courts Department  recommends that the terms for the full-time judges, who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council, be increased to four years to assist in the retention of experienced and knowledgeable judges that benefit the efficient operation of the municipal courts.

Each full-time municipal judge shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council for a term of four years, which term shall begin as of the date the appointment is confirmed by the City Council. Each substitute judge shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council for a term of two years, which term shall begin as of the date the appointment is confirmed by the City Council.  A municipal judge shall continue in office after his term has expired until he is reappointed or his successor has been appointed and qualified; provided, that no holdover period, regardless of duration, shall ever be deemed a reappointment of any municipal judge. If any office becomes vacant during a term, then a qualified person shall be appointed and confirmed for a new four year term beginning on the date of appointment.

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Barbara Hartle, Judge

City of Houston

Municipal Court

Ord. No. 00-325, § 1, 4-26-00; Ord. No. 05-340, § 2, 4-6-05; Ord. No. 09-510, § 3, 6-10-09

Nelly Santos, Deputy Director

Municipal Courts Department

713-247-8407

nelly.santos@houstontx.gov