Tex. Government Code § 54.996: POWERS.

(a) A judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case for proceedings involving:

(1) issuance of search warrants;

(2) setting of bonds;

(3) arraignment of defendants; and

(4) any other matter that is subject to the review of the judge.

(b) A magistrate may not preside over a contested trial on the merits, regardless of whether the trial is before a jury.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 577, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.