Tex. Government Code § 30.01137: MAGISTRATES.

(a) The governing body may appoint one or more magistrates to act on behalf of a municipal court of record or a municipal court in the city of White Settlement.

(b) A magistrate is not required to possess all the qualifications necessary to be a municipal court of record judge.

(c) A magistrate may not preside over the court or hear contested cases.

(d) A magistrate may:

(1) conduct an arraignment;

(2) hold an indigency hearing;

(3) accept a plea;

(4) sign a judgment;

(5) set the amount of a bond; and

(6) perform other functions under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal Procedure.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1076 (H.B. 4750), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.