Who presides over cases in municipal courts?

Municipal courts typically handle violations of city ordinances and some minor criminal offenses. The individual responsible for presiding over these cases is a municipal judge. Municipal judges are appointed or elected officials who have the authority to interpret and apply the law within the specific jurisdiction of the municipality. This means they manage court proceedings, make rulings on motions, and ultimately decide cases brought before the court.

The role of a municipal judge is distinct from that of other judicial figures such as district judges, who operate in higher courts with broader jurisdiction, overseeing more serious and complex legal matters. The concept of a jury is generally not applicable in municipal courts as these courts usually deal with less severe cases and allow for quicker resolutions without the need for a jury trial. Similarly, a panel of judges is more commonly associated with appellate courts where multiple justices review cases, rather than in municipal courts where typically a single judge is present.