From
Megan Mahan
Title
Ordinance Amending Chapter 10 "Municipal Court of Record," of the Code of Ordinances by the addition of Section 10-12, "Recording of Court Proceedings"
Presenter
Judge Bryan Arnold, Municipal Court Presiding Judge, and Megan Mahan, City Attorney
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
State law allows the Municipal Court to electronically record court proceedings provided that City Council approves of the process. We believe that this approval has been previously given by past City Councils; however, staff would like to codify this approval in the Municipal Court section of the City’s Code of Ordinances.
Financial Consideration
There may be some future cost in upgrading the court recording software, but that cost will be borne by the Municipal Court at a later date.
Body
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, AMENDING CHAPTER 10, “MUNICIPAL COURT OF RECORD,” OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY THE ADDITION OF 10-12, “RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS”; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A CUMULATIVE CLAUSE, A SAVINGS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND TO BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE AND APPROVAL.
WHEREAS, Texas Government Code 30.00010 provides that the governing body of a municipality may authorize electronic recording of court proceedings in Municipal Court in lieu of a court reporter;
WHEREAS, it is the most efficient process and best fiscal policy to allow the Grand Prairie Municipal Court to electronically record their court proceedings; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That Section 10-12 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby added with the following language:
Sec. 10-12. - Recording of Court Proceedings
(a) The Municipal Court of Grand Prairie shall comply with the recording procedures set forth in Chapter 30 of the Texas Government Code as follows:
(1) The municipality shall provide a court reporter to preserve a record in cases tri...
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