Sec. 54.1953. POWERS AND DUTIES    


Latest version.
  • (a) The Commissioners Court of Burnet County shall establish the powers and duties of a magistrate appointed under this subchapter. Except as otherwise provided by the commissioners court, a magistrate has the powers of a magistrate under the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.

    (b) A magistrate shall give preference to performing the duties of a magistrate under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal Procedure.

    (c) The commissioners court may designate one or more magistrates to hold regular hearings to:

    (1) give admonishments;

    (2) set and review bail and conditions of release;

    (3) appoint legal counsel; and

    (4) determine other routine matters relating to preindictment or pending cases within those courts' jurisdiction.

    (d) In the hearings provided under Subsection (c), a magistrate shall give preference to the case of an individual held in county jail.

    (e) A magistrate may inquire into a defendant's intended plea to the charge and set the case for an appropriate hearing before a judge or master.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 863 , Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2011.