Which statement is true about the disposition of cases when the judge is unavailable?

• A. Municipal court clerks may stamp the judge's signature on court documents when the judge is on vacation.
• B. Municipal court clerks cannot be held liable for performing a judicial duty if the judge requires the clerk to perform the duty.
• C. Municipal judges may perform duties that a magistrate has the authority to perform.
• D. Municipal court clerks have the authority to issue a capias.

Answer: (C)

When a judge is unavailable, the court relies on another qualified judicial officer to handle duties so cases can keep moving. A municipal judge can perform any duties that a magistrate has the authority to perform, which keeps essential judicial functions functioning during the judge’s absence. This reflects how authority can be exercised by different officers within the system to preserve timely dispositions, such as issuing process, handling preliminary matters, or setting bail within statutory limits. The other statements misstate who can take on those duties or how they’re carried out—clerks cannot substitute for judicial decisions by stamping signatures or issuing capiases, which are acts reserved for a judge or magistrate.