13th Judicial Circuit - Local Court Rule 100.1

100. Internal Organization

100.1 Presiding Judge

100.1.1 Election

This circuit is to elect a presiding judge. The presiding judge is to be elected in January of each odd numbered year to serve a two year term beginning January 31. The presiding judge is to be elected from among the circuit judges within the circuit by a majority of the circuit and associate circuit judges. The meeting will be held in the month of January in the odd numbered years at the regular meeting of the court en banc or at a special meeting called for this purpose. The voting shall be by secret written ballot. A special election shall be held at any time upon resignation or death of the presiding judge, at which time a presiding judge shall be elected to fill the unexpired term. The incumbent presiding judge may succeed him/herself, if he/she so desires, if he/she is confirmed by a majority vote of all the circuit and associate circuit judges under the procedures set forth above. The incumbent presiding judge shall not vote, except in case of a tie. The presiding judge may be removed by a 2/3 vote of all the circuit and associate circuit judges under the same procedures set forth above. Proxies in writing shall be allowed in voting for presiding judge. In case of any temporary inability to serve, the presiding judge shall appoint an acting presiding judge. If the presiding judge is unable to appoint, the circuit and associate circuit judges shall elect an acting presiding judge under the procedure set forth above, to act until the presiding judge is available or until the term expires. In case the presiding and acting presiding judges are unavailable, the other circuit judges are appointed to act in order of seniority on the bench. Where no other circuit judge is available to serve as presiding judge, the chief justice of the Supreme Court will appoint a judge to serve.

100.1.2 Duties

The presiding judge is the general administrative authority of the court. In this function the presiding judge shall:

A. Preside at all court en banc meetings;

B. Supervise and appoint any needed committees;

C. Coordinate personnel duties;

D. Supervise preparation of the budget;

E. Handle media and governmental contacts;

F. Establish procedures, schedules and make docket assignments among the divisions;

G. Represent the court en banc in the call and supervision of petit and grand jury functions; and

H. Have the authority to appoint a secretary and such other personnel as provided by law to aid in conducting the business of the circuit.

The presiding judge has the authority to assign cases to judges and judges to divisions, but the presiding judge is not to assign:

A. A municipal judge to hear any case other than to initially hear municipal ordinance violation cases; or

B. Any case to a judge contrary to Supreme Court Rule, state law or these rules.

The meetings of the court en banc may be called by the presiding judge or by two judges giving written notice. The written notice shall state an agenda for the meeting. If any judge so requests, any meeting of the court en banc shall be on the record. Unless otherwise agreed "Robert's Rules of Order" shall govern the conduct of any meeting. Each judge, including the presiding judge, has one vote, and a simple majority shall rule.