Selma will begin its search for the city’s next municipal judge this afternoon.

Nine candidates have applied for the job, and the city’s Public Safety Committee has the task of winnowing the group down to one or two finalists for the position.

“We’re looking for the best qualified candidates to assist our municipal court position,” Councilman Reid Cain and Committee Chairman said.

The nine candidates will each be subjected to the Committee’s questions, as well as questions posed by the City Council at large.

For those Council members unable to attend, questions were given to the Committee in written form.

The city currently has an interim municipal judge, appointed by Mayor James Perkins Jr. Christmas Green, one of the applicants for the job, is serving in the temporary position already.

Cain said the position calls for either one full-time judge or two part-time judges.

He said it would depend on the final decision made by the council.

“It’s listed as a part-time or full-time position,” he said.

The review process, Cain said, is identical to the process used to chose replacement members for the city school board.

The only exception is the questions submitted by the city council.

“The members should write their questions down because of scheduling conflicts,” Cain said.

Cain asked in a letter addressed to the Council that questions be submitted to him by yesterday, at 3 p.m.

The salary for the position varies, according to whether the city will accept one or two judges.

Cain said the salary is $24,500 for a part-time presiding judge, and $12,000 for the non-presiding, part-time judge.

A full-time judge could expect to get paid between $45,000 and $60,000.

All of the applicants are Selma attorneys.

For Cain, what matters is the ability of any potential applicant.

He said he wants “experience, the ability to manage and knowledge of the law.”

The interview process starts at 3 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, according to Cain, although only committee and council members will be allowed to ask questions.

Cain said that citizens should address any questions to him or the council members of their ward.