State and county laws require public notice and hearings before the council can act on an ordinance. But there is an exception for emergency circumstances.
The council cited declining county revenues and the need to act quickly in order to spend the rest of Hecht’s 2009 salary on pro- tem judges.
“The emergency is, we’re running out of money,” Muri said. “And any time we see an opportunity that requires quick action, we’re going to take it.”
Hecht, 59, defeated incumbent Superior Court Judge Sergio Armijo last year. But in January The News Tribune reported that Tacoma police and state authorities were investigating Hecht on possible criminal charges.
On Oct. 28 a jury found Hecht guilty of buying sex from a male prostitute and threatening to kill a man after Hecht found out he was talking about their alleged previous sexual relationship.

See the full article from “TheNewsTribune.com”