§ 4-110. Solicitor; qualifications; selection; term; assistants; duties; oath; prohibited activities; compensation; vacancies; removal.

(a)

Qualifications. There shall be a solicitor of the municipal court. The solicitor 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. During his or her term of office, the solicitor shall continue to reside within the city.

(b)

Selection; term. Upon the submission of three nominees by the Atlanta Judicial Commission, the mayor shall appoint one of the three nominees as the solicitor of municipal court for a four-year term. The solicitor shall discharge the duties of the office until a successor is qualified and appointed. A solicitor may be appointed to subsequent terms.

(c)

Assistants. The solicitor shall appoint such deputy or assistant solicitors as may be authorized by the city council. Any deputy or assistant solicitor shall be and remain a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and shall serve at the pleasure of the solicitor.

(d)

Duties. The solicitor shall be the prosecuting officer of the municipal court. The solicitor and assistant solicitors shall perform such duties as prescribed by ordinance and required by law.

(e)

Oath. Before entering the duties of their offices, the solicitor and assistants shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation before some officer authorized to administer oaths, to faithfully discharge the duties of the office.

(f)

Prohibited activities. The solicitor and deputy or assistant solicitors, excluding solicitor pro hac vice, shall devote full-time to the discharge of their duties and shall not engage in the private practice of law.

(g)

Compensation. The annual salaries of the solicitor and assistants shall be fixed by the council.

(h)

Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy in the position of the solicitor or any assistant for any cause, whether by death, resignation, or removal, such vacancy shall be filled in accordance with the provisions in this article.

(i)

Removal. The solicitor shall be subject to removal from office by the mayor during the term of office to which such solicitor was appointed for any of the grounds enumerated in paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) of section 5-304.

(1996 Ga. L. (Act No. 1019), p. 4469)