DEPARTMENT: Municipal Court
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John W. Bull, Presiding Judge
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Reappointment of Full-time Municipal Court Judges
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance reappoints nine full-time, San Antonio Municipal Court Judges to a new, two-year term, effective May 1, 2016.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Municipal Court Judges are appointed by City Council every two years (even-numbered) years, with an effective date of May 1st. Municipal Court judges must: (1) be a U.S. citizen; (2) a Texas resident; (3) a licensed attorney in good standing; (4) have practiced law in Texas for a minimum of two years; and (5) a resident of the City of San Antonio for at least three years immediately preceding appointment. On March 31, 2016, the Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Services Committee's subcommittee, consisting of Chair Rebecca J. Viagran, Councilmember Mike Gallagher and Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1, Place 2 Ciro Rodriguez, interviewed each of the nine, full-time judges. The subcommittee made its recommendation to the full Criminal Justice, Public Safety and Services Committee to reappoint the nine full-time judges.
The following judges meet City Charter and Texas Government Code requirements for judicial service and are recommended for reappointment for a two-year term, effective May 1st, 2016: Clarissa L. Chavarria, Linda H Conley, Lisa Gonzales, Daniel Guerrero, James Daniel Kassahn, Christine D. Lacy, Carla D. Obledo, Margarita Pol and Peter Andrew Zamora. Annual salaries for the full-time judges are currently $103,315.92. Life insurance and health and retirement benefits currently extended to city employees are extended to the full-time judges.
ISSUE:
The current terms for the San Antonio Municipal Court judges will expire April 30, 2016 and require reappointment.
ALTERNATIVES:
The alternative would require qualification of new applicants, leaving current jud...
Click here for full text