§ 50. Elective officers.

(a)

In addition to the five (5) councilmen, one (1) of whom shall serve as ex officio mayor, as hereinbefore in this charter provided, and those officers who under the general law are elected jointly by the voters of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg, the elective municipal officers of the City of Harrisonburg shall consist of a justice of the peace from each ward of the city; a city sergeant; a commissioner of the revenue; a city treasurer; and such additional officers as may hereafter be provided for by law; all of whose duties, terms and compensation shall be as prescribed by the laws of the State of Virginia and the ordinances of the city made in pursuance thereof.

(b)

The present justices of the peace, city sergeant, commissioner of the revenue and city treasurer shall continue to hold office until the expiration of the terms for which they were elected. Upon completion of their present terms of office, elections to fill the same shall be held at the times, in the manner and for the terms provided by law. In the case of any vacancy in office of the elective offices of the city, other than the members of the city council, the same shall be filled as provided by general law.

(c)

Said justices of the peace shall have the same power and authority to issue summons and warrants for violations of the ordinances of the city, returnable to the trial officer of the city, and to take recognizances therefor or thereon and issue subpoenas for witnesses and other criminal process with respect thereto, likewise returnable to said trial officer, as they have to perform said acts with relation to violations of state law made returnable by them to state courts.

(d)

Nothing contained herein shall be construed or taken to change the existing law whereby the commonwealth's attorney, the clerk of the circuit court and the sheriff, together with members of the General Assembly, are jointly elected by the voters of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg, to serve both said county and city, and all applicable laws with respect thereto are hereby continued in full force and effect.

Editor's note— The office of justice of the peace was abolished in 1974 (Acts 1973, Ch. 545) and the office of magistrate is now vested with the powers previously vested in the justice of the peace.

Editor's note

The office of justice of the peace was abolished in 1974 (Acts 1973, Ch. 545) and the office of magistrate is now vested with the powers previously vested in the justice of the peace.