City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 05A
Chapter 05A.05
Section 05A.05.010
 

Title 05A Municipal Court

Chapter 05A.05 Judicial Officers

Section 05A.05.010 Municipal Judges
  1. Appointment.

Within thirty days after the effective date of this chapter, or any ordinance of the city council that provides for additional judges, the mayor shall appoint a municipal judge or judges subject to confirmation by the city council.

  1. Term.

The initial appointment of a judge or judges under this chapter shall expire upon the certification of the next regularly scheduled judicial election following their appointment. Thereafter, each elected municipal court judge shall serve a term of four years.

  1. Election.
    1. In accordance with RCW 3.50.055, all full-time municipal judges shall be elected to office.
    1. The election shall occur at the next regularly scheduled judicial election following creation of the judicial position.
    1. The municipal judge or judges shall be elected in accordance with state statutes as now enacted or hereafter amended. Pursuant to RCW 3.50.050, the municipal judge shall be elected in the same manner as other elective city officials are elected to office. This requirement applies regardless of how many judges are employed to fill the position.
    1. For purposes of this section, a full-time equivalent position is thirty-five or more hours per week of compensated time.
    1. An additional judicial position or positions that is or are in combination more than one-half of a full-time equivalent position shall also be filled by election.
  1. Additional Judges.
    1. Pursuant to RCW 3.50.070, additional full- or part-time municipal judge positions may be filled as provided in sections (A) and (C) of this section, when the public interest and administration of justice makes such additional judge or judges necessary, and so long as that procedure is in compliance with state statutes, including RCW 3.50.055.
    1. Additional full- or part-time judges shall be created by ordinance of the city council.

Date Passed: Monday, October 28, 2013

Effective Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2013

C35046 Section 1