{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-201.308","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Family Code § 201.308","heading":"POWERS OF ASSOCIATE JUDGE.","body":"(a) Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may:\n(1) conduct a hearing;\n(2) hear evidence;\n(3) compel production of relevant evidence;\n(4) rule on the admissibility of evidence;\n(5) issue a summons for:\n(A) the appearance of witnesses; and\n(B) the appearance of a parent who has failed to appear before an agency authorized to conduct an investigation of an allegation of abuse or neglect of a child after receiving proper notice;\n(6) examine a witness;\n(7) swear a witness for a hearing;\n(8) make findings of fact on evidence;\n(9) formulate conclusions of law;\n(10) recommend an order to be rendered in a case;\n(11) regulate proceedings in a hearing;\n(12) order the attachment of a witness or party who fails to obey a subpoena;\n(13) order the detention of a witness or party found guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court; and\n(14) take action as necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the associate judge's duties.\n(b) An associate judge may, in the interest of justice, refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.\nAdded by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.03, eff. January 1, 2012.","path":["FAMILY CODE","TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP","SUBTITLE C. JUDICIAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES","CHAPTER 201. ASSOCIATE JUDGE","SUBCHAPTER D. ASSOCIATE JUDGE FOR JUVENILE MATTERS"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.201.htm#201.308","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:10Z","sha256":"c43a93ca22bc032063a06f01aba88107b769c86ceb5c961b76cbc565e4bf1304","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-201.307","next":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-201.309"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}