{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54a.007","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Government Code § 54A.007","heading":"ORDER OF REFERRAL.","body":"(a) To refer one or more cases to an associate judge, a judge must issue a written order of referral that specifies the associate judge's duties.\n(b) An order of referral may:\n(1) limit the powers of the associate judge and direct the associate judge 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 associate judge's findings;\n(5) designate proceedings for more than one case over which the associate judge shall preside;\n(6) direct the associate judge to call the court's docket; and\n(7) set forth general powers and limitations or authority of the associate judge applicable to any case referred.\nAdded by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.01, eff. January 1, 2012.","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.007","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:16Z","sha256":"d91693cd79b4a1ac8352ece3f46028afd596e0a4fe34676ba72e277e34b8ee01","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54a.006","next":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-54a.008"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}