In general-law cities that have not adopted an ordinance to create the position of municipal judge, who serves as the judge?

• A. The Mayor
• B. The City Clerk
• C. The Chief of Police
• D. A neighboring city's judge

Answer: (C)

In a general-law city that hasn’t adopted an ordinance creating a municipal court or appointing a municipal judge, the city’s leader who presides over the council—the mayor—also serves as the municipal judge. This arrangement keeps the judicial function within the city’s existing leadership when no separate court is established. The city clerk handles records and administration, not judging; the chief of police is an enforcement officer, not a judge; and a judge from another city has no jurisdiction over your city’s cases.