Our Role In Norman
The Municipal Criminal Court of Norman
is the Judicial Branch of city government and is created by state law and city
ordinance as a court not of record to impartially hear violations of city
ordinances. The Court processes misdemeanor traffic
and non-traffic offenses as well as parking
violations. Charges can be filed by police officers, other city officials such
as code enforcement, animal welfare, fire personnel, and citizens of the
community. The maximum penalty in Municipal Court is $750 and/or 60 days in
jail.
The Mayor
and City Council appoint the
Presiding, Associate, and Acting judges for two-year terms. The Court
Administrator serves as the Department Head and Chief Administrative Officer of
the Court and supervises all non-judicial divisions.
The Service and Operation's Division of
the Court is the heart of the operation of the Court, and is staffed by the
Chief Deputy Court Clerk and seven Deputy Clerks who serve on a full time basis.
This division provides administrative support to the Judicial Division of the
Court and is responsible for all docketing of cases, record keeping of cases
filed, and related reports. This division assists the Judicial Division in
recording the proceedings of the Court and in preparing writs, processes and
other papers as required. This division gives receipts for all fines,
forfeitures, and fees payable to the Court, deposits the fines with the Finance
Department, and prepares necessary fiscal reports.
The Support Services Division is
staffed by students who are part time employees. The marshal positions are
filled by law students. They prepare the Court for Court sessions, assist
the Judges of the Court during Court sessions, supervise prisoners during
arraignment, and generally assist in maintaining decorum in the courtroom.
They also serve subpoenas issued by the Court.
One of the Marshals serves as the
Hearing officer. The Hearing Officer interviews those persons who are
unable to pay their fines and costs, determines their ability to pay, and makes
a recommendation to the Judge as to the resolution of the payment requirement.
More citizens come in contact with the
judicial system through municipal courts than any other court, and the personnel
of the Municipal Court of Norman endeavor to present an image to the citizens of
Norman, in substance as well as form, which is reflective of judicial
administration at its best. The Court is committed to the proposition that its
function is to see equal justice provided to all. In light of that, the Court is
dedicated to protecting the rights of the individual citizen accused of a
violation, yet, upon conviction assessing a penalty which will deter the
offender from similar conduct, therefore acting for the ultimate welfare of the
entire community.
