HomeMy WebLinkAbout1699 ResolutionRESOLUTION NO. 1699
A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Mary Ramirez as
Municipal Court Judge upon her acceptance of
the conditions stated herein, and regulating
the operation of the Pasco Municipal Court.
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco operates a Municipal court
governed by Ch. 3.50 RCW; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor has elected to appoint Mary Ramirez as
Municipal Court Judge for that term of office beginning January
1, 1986, upon the confirmation by the City Council and the
written acceptance by Mary Ramirez of the terms and conditions of
the appointment stated herein; and
WHEREAS, the operation of the Pasco Municipal Court is an
important matter to the citizens of Pasco and local government;
NOW THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON, DO
RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section One. The appointment of Mary Ramirez as Pasco
Municipal Court Judge is confirmed upon her written acceptance of
the terms and conditions of her appointment set forth herein for
a four year term of office beginning January 1, 1986.
Section Two. The salary for the Municipal Court Judge
position is to be set by ordinance as required by law. The
position is part time with an expectation of 20 hours per week
being required to fulfill the duties of the position. No other
benefits shall accrue except a two week vacation leave (one
standard payroll period) per calendar year without loss of pay.
Section Three. The Municipal Court shall continue to
operate in open session on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday nights
for non-jury matters and in the District Courtroom of the
Franklin County Public Safety Building. Jury trial settings
shall be for 8:30 a.m. on Monday and Fridays; provided, however,
the City Manager may modify the dates, times and places when the
court shall be in session.
Section Four. The Municipal Court Judge shall have
regular weekly office hours at the Municipal Court for the
performance of her administrative responsibilities and other
necessary business of the court at such times as agreed upon
between the Municipal Court Judge and the City Manager.
Section Five. It shall be the duty of the Municipal
Court Judge to make, without unreasonable delay, new local court
rules not inconsistent with the court rules for justice courts in
the State of Washington reasonably necessary to fulfilling the
duties and obligations of the office and to otherwise promote the
efficient and judicious operation of the Pasco Municipal Court,
and to revise the same from time to time as circumstances
dictate.
Section Six. The City Attorney shall not be required to
appear in matters where the other party is not represented by an
attorney except in cases where a jury trial has been set. Cases
involving the City Attorney shall be given a preferential setting
and hearing over other cases. Cases involving the City Attorney
shall be in blocks of time so as to make the most effective use
of the City Attorney's time.
Section Seven. (1) The Municipal Court Judge shall
accept her duties as Police Court Judge as her first pariority
and in cases of conflict or potential conflict shall give first
priority to Municipal Court matters. Whenever because of illness
or other sufficient reason approved by the City Manager, the
Municipal Court Judge cannot be on the bench, then she is to
advise the City Manager in advance of court as to who is to
preside in her absence and the reason therefor.
(2) In order to avoid conflicts or the appearance of
impropriety, the appointee's spouse Joseph Ramirez, nor any other
present or future law partner or associate of the appointee shall
accept the defense of cases filed in Pasco Municipal Court.
(3) The appointee shall not participate in any criminal
defense panel or contract for indigent defense in any court
Section Eight. Time pay agreements for the payment of
penalties, fines and costs totaling Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and
less, shall not be granted by the Police Court, unless
specifically ordered by the Municipal Court Judge when
exceptional circumstances of financial hardship are found by the
judge to exist. Time payment agreements for fines, penalties and
costs shall be consistent with standards determined jointly
between the Judge and City Manager.
Section Nine. The enforcement of City regulatory
ordinances in the areas of environmental regulation, animal
control, nuisance abatement and the like are important to the
city and the Municipal Court Judge shall accept his
responsibility for working for the effective enforcement of
ordinances in the areas of sentencing and case disposition.
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EveaSih Wel s, City Clerk
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Nothing in this section should be construed to infringe upon the
Municipal Court Judge's discretion in fact finding, the
application of the law to the facts and the fair administration
of justice.
PASSED by the City Council and approved by the Mayor on
this /6,- day of December, 1985.
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