Sec. 54.876. PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a) A district judge or a county court at law judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case for proceedings involving: (1) a negotiated plea of guilty before the court; (2) a bond forfeiture; (3) a pretrial motion; (4) a postconviction writ of habeas corpus; (5) an examining trial; and (6) any other matter the judge considers necessary and proper. (b) A magistrate may accept a plea of guilty for a misdemeanor or felony. (c) A magistrate may not preside over a trial on the merits, whether or not the trial is before a jury. (d) A judge of a court designated a juvenile court may refer to a magistrate any proceeding over which a juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction under Title 3, Family Code, including any matter ancillary to the proceeding.
‹ Prev All Texas sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.