In addition to the council members, the cabildo had one or two magistrates, the "alcaldes", whom the "regidores" elected every January 1. "Alcaldes" served as judges of first instance in all criminal and civil cases and acted as presiding officers of the cabildo, unless there was a "corregidor". In provincial capitals the first "alcalde" would fill in for incapacitated governors. Other officers were the "alférez real" (royal standard-bearer), who had a vote in cabildo deliberations and would substitute the "alcalde" if the latter could not carry out the functions of his office; the "alguacil mayor", who oversaw local law enforcement; the "fiel ejecutor", who was the inspector of weights, measures and markets, in charge of the supplies of the city and oversaw municipal sanitation; the "procurador" or city attorney; and a scribe.