To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Resolution Appointing the Assistant Municipal Judge and Approving a Service Contract - Item Withdrawn Indefinitely
Body
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Update January 3, 2022
This item is withdrawn from Council Consideration, as Judge Cole is no longer available to commit to this contract.
Discussion
Castle Rock Municipal Court had an Assistant Judge from 2008 until 2016, when the former Assistant Judge began working toward retirement. For succession-planning purposes, the Municipal Judge and staff are recommending reinstating an Assistant Municipal Judge beginning this year.
An Assistant Judge differs from a Substitute Judge in that s/he must contractually be available to hold hearings for the Court if the Municipal Judge is unavailable. The Assistant Judge is not paid a salary but rather is paid per actual Court session worked - generally, between $300 and $500 per session, depending on its length.
The Service Contract with the presiding Municipal Judge on tonight’s agenda authorizes Town Council to appoint assistant and/or substitute judges in order to assure the efficient operation of the Municipal Court, with input from the presiding judge on the appropriate candidates for these roles. Judge Gresh recommends appointing as Assistant Municipal Judge Lilith Zoe Cole. Attached is a resolution appointing Ms. Cole to serve as Assistant Municipal Judge for a two-year term and approving a service contract with her.
Judge Cole has served as a Substitute Judge for our Court since 2016. She also serves as Assistant Municipal Judge for Centennial and Lone Tree.
Town Code requires the Municipal Judge to be licensed to practice in Colorado, in good standing with the State Supreme Court and have a minimum of five years’ experience in active practice of law. Judge Cole meets those qualifications.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve the resolution appointing the Assistant Municipal Judge and approving the service contract.”
Attachment
Attachment A: Resolution
Exhibit 1: Service Contract