{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54.657","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Government Code § 54.657","heading":"ORDER OF REFERRAL.","body":"(a) To refer one or more cases to a magistrate, a judge must issue an order of referral specifying the magistrate's duties.\n(b) An order of referral may:\n(1) limit the powers of the magistrate and direct the magistrate to report only on specific issues, do particular acts, or receive and report on evidence only;\n(2) set the time and place for the hearing;\n(3) prescribe a closing date for the hearing;\n(4) provide a date for filing the magistrate's findings;\n(5) designate proceedings for more than one case over which the magistrate shall preside;\n(6) direct the magistrate to call the court's docket; and\n(7) set forth general powers and limitations of authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred.\nAdded by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 81, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 31, 1987.","path":["GOVERNMENT CODE","TITLE 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH","SUBTITLE D. JUDICIAL PERSONNEL AND OFFICIALS","CHAPTER 54. MASTERS; MAGISTRATES; REFEREES; ASSOCIATE JUDGES","SUBCHAPTER H. CRIMINAL LAW MAGISTRATES IN TARRANT COUNTY"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.54.htm#54.657","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:16Z","sha256":"c94e29bc9bedbef3751809322562119be29a1791e68b713986c5d437b511c807","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54.656","next":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54.658"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}