The county counsel shall serve for four years from the time of his appointment and until his successor is appointed, subject to the following:
(a) He may be removed at any time by proceedings under Article 3 (commencing at Section 3060) of Chapter 7 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(b) He may be removed at any time by the board of supervisors for neglect of duty, malfeasance or misconduct in office, or other good cause shown, upon written accusation to be filed with the board of supervisors, by a person not a member of the board, and heard by the board and sustained by a three-fifths vote of the board. When an accusation has been so filed with the board, the board may direct the district attorney to investigate and present the accusation or may employ private counsel for that purpose. All testimony before the board shall be under oath or affirmation administered by the board. The board is hereby vested with the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers and testimony and shall make such processes available to the accused. A copy of the accusation shall be personally served upon the accused and he shall be given not less than 10 days’ time in which to file a written answer to the accusation. If, after hearing, it appears to the satisfaction of the board that the accusation has been substantiated, the board shall so notify the accused by mail. Such notice shall specifically state the findings and judgment of the board, and the board shall thereupon forthwith remove the accused from office and shall immediately appoint his successor.
(Amended by Stats. 1959, Ch. 1389.)