Who judges the judges? On Thursday, it was City Council. Though there was very little dissent on the dais about a recommendation that left five judges without appointments, the public testimony that preceded Council’s vote was critical and, at times, emotional. Following the lead of its Judicial Committee, Council voted to appoint 18 judges to […]
Austin Municipal Court
This city department is the judicial branch of the City of Austin. The courts adjudicate Class C misdemeanor cases and has four divisions: Judicary, Court Operations, Support Services, and the Downtown Austin Community Court.
Posted inCity Hall
Judicial Committee recommends against reappointment of five judges
City Council’s Judicial Committee acted in swift unity Monday morning, voting unanimously to recommend a slate of Municipal Court judge appointments that did not include five sitting judges. The vote came after a change in the recommendation process and increased Council scrutiny on how the Municipal Court handles indigent cases following a 2015 lawsuit. “These […]
Posted inCity Council
Council reopens path to chauffeur’s permit for many criminal offenders
City Council took action on Thursday that could help put some disqualified taxi and transportation network company drivers back on Austin roads. The amendment to the city code tweaked an existing ordinance that Council passed in June that restricted many current and potential drivers with criminal records from qualifying for a chauffeur’s permit. Under the […]
Posted inTravis County
County ponders partnership with city on one-stop justice shop
With a pair of aging courthouses between them, Travis County and the city of Austin could find a solution to their problems through mutual cooperation. That idea was part of the focus of a Thursday afternoon work session at Travis County Commissioners Court during which county staff discussed the notion of freeing up land in […]
Posted inCourts
Municipal court judge: Our building is in shambles
Austin Municipal Court is so overcrowded that employees are working in closets throughout the building, which is filled with asbestos and is one technical glitch away from not functioning, according to courthouse staff. Presiding Judge Sherry Statman told City Council on Tuesday that the neglected building, constructed in 1955, cannot be upgraded because of asbestos, a […]
Posted inCity Hall
City Hall to keep court function, metal detectors
Despite City Council Member Don Zimmerman’s attempt to move all Downtown Community Court hearings out of City Hall, Council voted 10-1 to authorize renewal of a five-year lease agreement for court space at 719 and 721 E. Sixth St., with the understanding that City Hall would continue to provide overflow space for that court. Zimmerman […]
Posted inAustin, Courts, Texas State Legislature
Why your speeding ticket doesn’t pay for what you think it does
Travis County and the City of Austin take part in a regular fiscal dance with the State of Texas over who pays the costs of government. Over the next three days, KUT News and the Austin Monitor will look at key examples of that interaction in our series, “The Buck Starts Here.” Today, we take […]