Legal Review Committee Agenda and Packet 2018 10 30

Home Browse Search

Cityof Louisville R.AS:7() SINCE; 1.878 LEGAL REVIEW COMMITTEE SUBJECT: DATE: PRESENTED BY: MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE APPOINTMENTS AND COMPENSATION continued from 8/28/18 OCTOBER 30, 2018 MEREDYTH MUTH, CITY CLERK SUMMARY: In January, the City Council appointed Judge Wheeler as the Municipal Judge and Judge Thrower as the Deputy Municipal Judge; each to a two-year term. Earlier this year, Judge Wheeler requested another deputy judge be appointed so there is more flexibility in scheduling in case Judge Thrower is not available to cover in her absence. The Charter states the Council may appoint as many deputy judges as Council deems necessary. Given the request, members of the Legal Review Committee asked to review how often the judges oversee court and how they are compensated. Generally the Municipal Court's regular schedule has been four half -days per month. Each session is about four hours on average. The schedule for the year is set in advance. Judge Thrower has filled in four times to date in 2018. Occasionally, additional sessions are scheduled for trials or other matters. For 2019, the court schedule will change to two full days per month rather than four half days. Councilmember Leh noted Judge Thrower was recently appointed as the municipal judge for Estes Park. It is common for judges and prosecutors to work for multiple courts, particularly in the smaller courts that only meet once or twice per month. Both Judge Wheeler and Judge Thrower work for multiple courts as does Prosecutor Cribari. Compensation The Charter states "The Council shall establish the compensation for the presiding municipal judge and each deputy municipal judge. The compensation shall not be dependent upon the outcome of the matters to be decided by the judge." Ordinance No. 1706, Series 2015 states the presiding municipal judge shall receive as full compensation for the judge's services a yearly salary of $31,200.00 payable on a monthly basis of $2,600.00 per month, effective January 1, 2016. Each deputy municipal judge shall receive compensation for such deputy municipal judge's services as is set by city council resolution. Resolution No. 82, Series 2015 set the compensation for the judge at $70.00 per hour which was a change from previous practice of paying $325 per court session. Looking at invoices, this has turned out to actually be a reduction in per hour pay for the judge LEGAL REVIEW COMMITTEE