HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2016-20 RESOLUTION NO. R2016-20
IN RECOGNITION OF MUNICIPAL COURT WEEK .
NOVEMBER 7-11,2016
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MUNICIPAL
COURTS, THE RULE OF LAW, AND THE FAIR AND IMPARTIAL
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
WHEREAS, municipal courts play a significant role in preserving public safety and
promoting quality of life in Texas;
WHEREAS, more people come in contact with municipal courts than all other Texas
courts combined and public impression of the Texas judicial system is largely dependent upon
the public's experience in municipal court;
WHEREAS,the City of Friendswood hosts the Friendswood Municipal Court;
WHEREAS, state law authorizes a municipality to either appoint or elect a municipal
judge for a term of office, the Friendswood Municipal Court is a state court and its judges are
members of the state judiciary;
WHEREAS, the procedures for the Friendswood Municipal Court operations are set
forth in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws of the State of Texas;
WHEREAS, the City of Friendswood is committed to the notion that our legal system is
based on the principle that an independent, fair, and competent judiciary will interpret and apply
the laws that govern us and that judges and court personnel should comply with the law and act
in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary;
WHEREAS, Friendswood Municipal Judges are not policy makers for the City of
Friendswood but are bound by the law and the Canons of Judicial Conduct and are required to
make decisions independent of the governing body of the City Council, city officials, and
employees;
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WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that the Constitution and laws of the State of
Texas contain procedural safeguards in criminal cases for all defendants, including indigent
defendants, and supports the Friendswood Municipal Court in complying with such legal
requirements.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the week of November 7 — 11, 2016, is hereby recognized as Municipal
Court week in recognition of the fair and impartial justice offered to our citizens by the
municipal court of Friendswood.
PASSED,APPROVED,AND RESOLVED this 7th day of November,2016.
Kevin M. Holland
Mayor
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Melinda Welsh, TRMC
City Secretary ;NSA
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