2.14.010 Established

The Municipal Court of the City of Great Falls, Montana, is hereby established pursuant to Title 3, Chapter 6, Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The Municipal Court shall be a court of record by electronic recording or stenographic transcription and shall assume continuing jurisdiction over all pending Municipal Court cases from and after February 1, 1998. (Ord. 2725, 1997; Ord. 2652, 1993).

2.14.020 Appeal to district court

Appeals of Municipal Court judgments or orders must be made to District Court and are confined to review of the record and questions of law. A party may appeal a Municipal Court judgment if:

1. The amount of controversy exceeds $200; or,
2. The judgment includes incarceration; or,
3. Upon petition of an aggrieved party, the District Court may, in the interests of justice, accept appellate jurisdiction notwithstanding the amount in controversy.

2.14.030 Municipal Court Judge

1. There shall be one Municipal Court Judge elected to a four year term pursuant to Title 3, Chapter, 6, MCA. The qualifications of a Municipal Court Judge shall be as required by Montana law to include:
   1. The same qualifications as a judge of District Court as set forth in Article VII, Section 9, of the Montana Constitution except a Municipal Court Judge need only be admitted to the practice of law in Montana for at least two years prior to the date of the election; and,
   2. A Municipal Court Judge shall be a resident and voter in the City of Great Falls at the time of his or her election; and,
   3. A Municipal Court Judge shall be certified as provided in MCA 3-1-1502 to 3-1-1503, prior to assuming office.
2. The salary of the Municipal Court Judge shall be set by resolution. (Ord. 2725, 1997; Ord. 2652, 1993; Ord. 2604, 1991; Ord. 2034, 1978; Ord. 1904 §6, 1976).

2.14.040 Municipal Court Clerk

The position of a Municipal Court Clerk is hereby established pursuant to Title 3, Chapter 6, MCA, to administer and retain court records by paper or electronic filing or storage. The salary of the Municipal Court Clerk shall be set by resolution.