DEPARTMENT: City Attorney’s Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Andrew Segovia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-Wide
SUBJECT:
Reappointment of the Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Court
SUMMARY:
This item will reappoint the Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Court for a two-year term of office commencing on May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Court is appointed by City Council for a two-year term that is staggered from the remaining Municipal Court Judges. The qualifications for the Presiding Judge are the same as other Municipal Court Judges. The Presiding Judge must (1) be a Texas resident; (2) be a United States citizen; (3) be a licensed attorney in good standing; (4) have practiced law in Texas for a minimum of two years; and (5) be a resident of the City of San Antonio for at least three years immediately preceding appointment.
The duties of the Presiding Judge include:
• Maintaining administrative oversight of judges
• Establishing work rules for the administration of the courts, in consultation with the Court Clerk
• Maintaining a central case docket and requesting jurors for trial
• Maintaining equitable distribution of cases to judges/courts
• Establishing judicial work hours and leave
• Administering the judicial and court budgets
The City Council originally appointed John Bull as Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Courts on April 22, 2004. He has been reappointed five times, most recently on April 2, 2015. Judge Bull’s current term commenced on May 1, 2015 and expires on April 30, 2017.
ISSUE:
The term of office for the Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Court will expire on April 30, 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may consider other candidates for Presiding Judge.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The salary and benefits of the Presiding Judge are included in the Operating Budget of the Municipal Court Department.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the reappointment of John Bull as Presiding Judge of the San Antonio Municipal Court for a two-year term of office commencing on May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2019.