{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54.1601","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Government Code § 54.1601","heading":"APPOINTMENT.","body":"(a) The Commissioners Court of Bell County may select magistrates to serve the courts of Bell County having jurisdiction in criminal matters.\n(b) The commissioners court shall establish the minimum qualifications, salary, benefits, and other compensation of each magistrate position and shall determine whether the position is full-time or part-time. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, to be eligible for appointment under this subchapter, a person must have been licensed to practice law in this state and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas for at least two years.\n(c) A magistrate appointed under this section serves at the pleasure of the commissioners court.\nAdded by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 967 (S.B. 251), Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2025.\nAmended by:\nActs 2025, 89th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 7 (H.B. 16), Sec. 5.02, eff. December 4, 2025.","path":["GOVERNMENT CODE","TITLE 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH","SUBTITLE D. JUDICIAL PERSONNEL AND OFFICIALS","CHAPTER 54. MASTERS; MAGISTRATES; REFEREES; ASSOCIATE JUDGES","SUBCHAPTER EE. BELL COUNTY CRIMINAL MAGISTRATES"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.54.htm#54.1601","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:16Z","sha256":"880455a3927a77654a37a36e62d21b79f74942b28c5365379d946f055201a399","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54.1505","next":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54.1602"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}