10.B.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 07/05/2017
- From:
- Jessica Cortes, Court Administrator
Co-Submitter:
Donald Jacobson, Senior Special Projects Consultant
Information
TITLE:
Consideration of Appointments: Presiding Magistrate and Magistrates for the Flagstaff Municipal Court.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve the appointments of Thomas L. Chotena as Presiding Magistrate, Michael Araujo as Magistrate and Paul Julien as On-Call Magistrate.
Executive Summary:
Appointment of all magistrates is required to be completed by the Flagstaff City Council for a two year term under both the City Charter and FCC Section 1-15-001-0002(A). Appointment of judges for the Municipal Court allows for ongoing operations of the court without interruption.
Magistrates hear criminal, civil and traffic matters that are filed in the Flagstaff Municipal Court. They conduct trials, both jury and non-jury, and sentence individuals within the parameters set by law. Magistrates are required for the ongoing operational needs of the Municipal Court. Magistrates are critical to the criminal and civil processes of the judicial branch.
The Presiding Magistrate not only has the same responsibilities and duties of the other Magistrates within the court, but is also responsible for the ongoing operation of the court. Under Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order 2005-32 the Presiding Magistrate works with the Court Administrator to administer justice and provide a safe, fair and efficient environment for the resolution of conflicts.
Judges Chotena, Araujo and Julien have all been serving in their current capacity at the Municipal Court and are requesting to continue in their current roles.
Magistrates hear criminal, civil and traffic matters that are filed in the Flagstaff Municipal Court. They conduct trials, both jury and non-jury, and sentence individuals within the parameters set by law. Magistrates are required for the ongoing operational needs of the Municipal Court. Magistrates are critical to the criminal and civil processes of the judicial branch.
The Presiding Magistrate not only has the same responsibilities and duties of the other Magistrates within the court, but is also responsible for the ongoing operation of the court. Under Arizona Supreme Court Administrative Order 2005-32 the Presiding Magistrate works with the Court Administrator to administer justice and provide a safe, fair and efficient environment for the resolution of conflicts.
Judges Chotena, Araujo and Julien have all been serving in their current capacity at the Municipal Court and are requesting to continue in their current roles.
Financial Impact:
Funding for all judicial positions are included in the approved budget of the Municipal Court. No additional budgetary impact anticipated.
Policy Impact:
Magistrates are critical to the criminal and civil processes of the judicial branch. These appointments help maintain an independent judiciary that is necessary for the ongoing operations of our local government. A strong, independent and fair judicial branch provides balance to criminal and civil matters that require resolution within our municipality.
Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or TeamFlagstaff Strategic Plan:
Personnel - Attract and retain quality staff.
Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
All Magistrate candidates seeking appointment have been previously appointed by the Flagstaff City Council.