§ 4.02. Judge.

(a)

No person shall be qualified or eligible to serve as judge unless he or she shall have attained the age of 25 years and shall have been a member of the State Bar of Georgia for a minimum of three years.

(b)

All judges shall be appointed by resolution of the city council and shall serve for a term of four years. The compensation of the judge shall be fixed by the city council by adoption of a resolution. The position of judge created in this article shall not be a full-time position, and the person serving in said position may engage in the private practice of law; provided, however, a judge may not appear and represent a client before the court.

(c)

Before entering on duties of his or her office, the appointed judges shall take an oath before an officer duly authorized to administer oaths in this state declaring that he or she will truly, honestly, and faithfully discharge the duties of his or her office to the best of his or her ability without fear, favor, or partiality. The oath shall be entered upon the minutes of the city council.

(d)

A judge of the municipal court shall serve for the designated term but may be removed from the position by a two-thirds vote of the entire membership of the city council or upon action taken by the State Judicial Qualifications Commission for:

(1)

Willful misconduct in office;

(2)

Willful and persistent failure to perform duties;

(3)

Habitual intemperance;

(4)

Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute; or

(5)

Disability seriously interfering with the performance of duties, which is, or is likely to become, of a permanent character.