Title
Consider appointment of a Municipal Court Alternate Judge for the City of Mesquite, Texas.
Body
Article IV, Section 27(a) of the City Charter states, “The municipal court shall be presided over by a judge, who shall be known as the city judge. The municipal court may also be presided over by alternate judges as may be appointed by the city council.” In Section 27(c), the Charter further states, “The judge and alternate judges of said court shall be qualified voters of the city, shall be appointed by the city council, and shall hold office at the pleasure of the city council.”
The City Code allows the City Council to appoint one person to serve as Municipal Court Assistant Judge, and one or more persons to serve as Municipal Court Alternate Judge, who all have the powers and duties of the City Judge while so acting.
Currently, Warren Nystrom serves as Municipal Court Assistant Judge and there are three Municipal Court Alternate Judges, Janice McKee, Robert Beasley and Greg Noschese. This appointment would add a fourth Municipal Court Alternate Judge to allow greater scheduling flexibility to meet the current workload of arraignments, warrants, emergency protective orders and court docket preparation with no fiscal impact to the City’s budget.
Recommended/Desired Action
City staff recommends appointment of Rachel Rider as Municipal Court Alternate Judge.
Drafter
Cliff Keheley
Head of Department
Cliff Keheley