NORWICH – On Tuesday night, members of the City of Norwich Common Council were asked to appoint someone to the position of acting city court judge.

The position, which is currently held by Maureen Byrne, has a six-year term, which will soon expire. Qualified candidates must be attorneys who have practiced law for at least five years, as of the date they are due to take the office. They must also be a resident of the city where they serve.

Unlike the regular city court judge position, which is held by James Downey, the acting court judge is appointed by the city council. The regular city court judge is an elected official. Acting court judges take on cases when the elected judge is not available or when there is a high case load.