Section 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.