Discussion and Possible Action on Appointments of Judges, Solicitors, and Public Defender for Municipal Court - Municipal Court Clerk Teresa Fitts

Summary

The City Council will discuss and potentially vote on the appointments for key positions within the Municipal Court for the upcoming year. This includes the Chief Judge, Associate Judge, City Solicitors, and Public Defender. The current Court Clerk, Teresa Fitts, has provided a memo outlining the recommended appointments, which include Thomas Andrew Roach Jr. as Chief Judge and Darrell Caudill as Associate Judge. The City Solicitor positions are recommended to be filled by attorneys from Dyer & Rusbridge, P.C., namely S. Jeffrey Rushbridge, Laura Rollins, Audrey Conley, and Seth Stroud. Christopher L. Bishop of Bishop & Bishop Law Firm is recommended for the Public Defender role. The staff is requesting Council approval of these appointments for 2026.

Citizen Impact

Residents interacting with the Municipal Court will be represented by the appointed Judges, Solicitors, and Public Defender. These appointments ensure the continuity of legal services and court operations for criminal and civil cases handled by the court.

Confidence

high