(a) There shall be a Municipal Court which shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all cases arising under this Charter or ordinances of the City. The powers of and the procedures in the Municipal Court and the manner of enforcement of its orders and judgments, shall be consistent with the Statutes of the State of Colorado, this Charter and the ordinances of the City. The Council shall have the power to provide for juries for service in the Municipal Court. The City Manager’s budget, as submitted to the Mayor shall include a section providing for the funding and operation of the Municipal Court. Personnel of the Municipal Court shall be governed by the City’s merit system.

(b) The Municipal Court shall be presided over and its functions exercised by a presiding judge and such associate judges as are appointed by the Council for a term to be at the pleasure of the Council. Municipal Judges shall receive fixed salaries or compensation set from time to time by the Council. Salaries or compensation shall not be dependent upon the outcome of the matters to be decided by the Court. If a Municipal Judge is absent or unable to act in any manner or case, the presiding judge shall appoint a temporary judge from a list of qualified persons to act and serve temporarily, and if the presiding judge fails to, or cannot call in a substitute, the Council shall appoint a substitute. Qualifications for Municipal Judge or a temporary judge shall be established by ordinance.

(c) The Municipal Court shall be administered by a Court Administrator appointed by the City Manager. The Court Administrator shall report to the City Manager directly, or to his or her designee, concerning all administrative matters of the Municipal Court and shall be responsible to provide staff services to the Municipal Court as the City Manager may deem appropriate.

(d) The Council shall provide for the enforcement of its ordinances. The penalty for a violation of the ordinances of the City shall be established by the Council by ordinance. (Amended at election held Nov. 2, 1999; amended at election held Nov. 6, 1990)