DEPARTMENT: Municipal Courts
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John W. Bull, Presiding Judge
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Appointment of Full-time and Part-time Municipal Court Judges
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance appoints ten full-time and seven part-time San Antonio Municipal Court Judges to a two-year term, expiring April 30, 2020. Duties include the performance of Magistrate duties, as assigned by the Presiding Judge.
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 June 12, 2018, the Municipal Court Advisory Committee, chaired by Councilman Cruz Shaw, and including Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, Councilman Manny Pelaez and Judge Peter Sakai interviewed each of the current full-time judges, part-time judges, and 11 additional applicants. Each applicant is aware that employment as a judge includes performance of magistrate duties.
The following applicants meet City Charter and Texas Government Code requirements for judicial service and are recommended for reappointment for a two-year term, effective May 1st, 2018:
Full-time: 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. Michael Ramos is recommended to fill the tenth position.
Annual salaries for the full-time judges are currently $105,392.56. Life insurance and health and retirement benefits currently extended to city employees are extended to the full-time judges.
Part-time: Carmen R. Rojo, Frank D. Sandoval, Alfredo Tavera, and Aida Ann Zaragoza. Melanie Castillo, Lauren Lefton, and Javier Rocha are recommended to fill three of the five new part-time positions. Compensation for part-time judges is $45.48 per hour worked.
Two part-time positions were not filled, and will be advertised for future appointment.
ISSUE:
The current terms for the San Antonio Municipal Court judges expired April 30, 2018 and require reappointment. One new full-time and five more part-time judges are also needed to provide services at the Municipal Court as well as the performance of magistrate duties as assigned by the Presiding Judge.
ALTERNATIVES:
The alternative would require qualification of new applicants, leaving current judges in holdover until new appointments can be made. This will not change the term of office. Appointments are for the remainder of unexpired terms, beginning May 1, even-numbered year, and ending on April 30, two years later.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Judicial salaries and compensation are part of the court’s FY 2018 budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Municipal Court Advisory Committee recommends the appointment of ten full-time judges and appointment of seven part-time judges.