§ 16. Qualifications of certain judicial officers in cities of the
first class. A person shall be eligible for appointment to the office
of magistrate, judge or justice of an inferior court of criminal
jurisdiction in a city of the first class, who shall at the time of such
appointment be of full age, a citizen of the United States, a resident
of the city, an attorney and counselor-at-law admitted to practice for
the period prescribed by special law, or in lieu thereof shall have been
a member of the legislature of the state for at least twelve consecutive
years, notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law
inconsistent herewith.