§ 4-104. Judges; qualifications; term of office; appointment; oath; vacancies; compensation.

(a)

Number of judges. The municipal court shall be presided over by such number of municipal court judges as shall be authorized by the city council.

(b)

Qualifications. To qualify for appointment as a judge of the municipal court, a person shall be at least 25 years of age, a resident of the city for at least one year, a member of the State Bar of Georgia, and a practicing attorney with a minimum of five years' experience. To hold office as a judge after such appointment, a person shall continue to possess said qualifications and shall not hold or qualify for any other public office.

(c)

Appointment. The mayor shall appoint a person to the position of municipal court judge in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(d)

Term of office. A judge of the municipal court shall be appointed for a term of four years and, upon completion of such term, such judge shall continue to serve until not retained by a vote of city electors as provided herein.

(e)

Oath. Before assuming office, each judge shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, before some officer authorized to administer oaths, faithfully to discharge the duties of the office. The oath shall be filed with the municipal clerk.

(f)

Vacancies. In the event of any vacancy in the office of a municipal court judge for any cause, whether by death, resignation, lack of retention, or removal, the mayor shall appoint some qualified person to fill such vacancy in accordance with the provisions of this article. Any judge appointed to fill a vacancy shall not be required to run against his or her record until he or she has held office at least 12 months, and in such event his or her term shall be extended until the end of the calendar year of the second general municipal election following the date of his or her appointment.

(g)

Compensation. The municipal court judges shall be paid an annual salary no less than 90 percent of the total annual compensation of the judges of the Superior Court within the territorial jurisdiction of said court.

(1996 Ga. L. (Act No. 1019), p. 4469; Ord. No. 2007-33(07-O-0695), § 1, 6-12-07)