{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54a.006","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Government Code § 54A.006","heading":"PROCEEDINGS THAT MAY BE REFERRED.","body":"(a) A judge may refer to an associate judge any matter arising out of a criminal case involving:\n(1) a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest before the court;\n(2) a bond forfeiture;\n(3) a pretrial motion;\n(4) a writ of habeas corpus;\n(5) an examining trial;\n(6) an occupational driver's license;\n(7) an appeal of an administrative driver's license revocation hearing;\n(8) a civil commitment matter under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code;\n(9) setting, adjusting, or revoking bond;\n(10) the issuance of search warrants, including a search warrant under Article 18.02(a)(10), Code of Criminal Procedure, notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of Criminal Procedure; and\n(11) any other matter the judge considers necessary and proper.\n(b) An associate judge may accept an agreed plea of guilty or no contest from a defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses and may assess punishment if a plea agreement is announced on the record between the defendant and the state.\n(c) An associate judge has all of the powers of a magistrate under the laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.\n(d) An associate judge may select a jury. Except as provided in Subsection (b), an associate judge may not preside over a trial on the merits, whether or not the trial is before a jury.\nAdded by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.01, eff. January 1, 2012.\nAmended by:\nActs 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 467 (H.B. 4170), Sec. 8.005, eff. September 1, 2019.","path":["GOVERNMENT CODE","TITLE 2. JUDICIAL BRANCH","SUBTITLE D. JUDICIAL PERSONNEL AND OFFICIALS","CHAPTER 54A. ASSOCIATE JUDGES","SUBCHAPTER A. CRIMINAL ASSOCIATE JUDGES"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.54A.htm#54A.006","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:16Z","sha256":"4dbcab6881f64ea6f1d24c15c0cd125221b5ef59b63ae40a04f27dafdef36929","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54a.005","next":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54a.007"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}