Section 54.2812 - Order Of Referral(a) To refer one or more cases to the criminal law magistrate court or the criminal law magistrate court associate judge, a judge must issue a written order of referral that specifies the magistrate court's duties. (b) An order of referral may: (1) limit the powers of the magistrate court and direct the magistrate to report only on specific issues, perform particular acts, or receive and report on evidence only; (2) set the time and place for the hearing; (3) prescribe a closing date for the hearing; (4) provide a date for filing the magistrate's findings; (5) designate proceedings for more than one case over which the magistrate shall preside; (6) direct the magistrate to call the court's docket; and (7) set forth general powers and limitations or authority of the magistrate applicable to any case referred. Tex. Gov't. Code § 54.2812
Added by Acts 2023, Texas Acts of the 88th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 861,Sec. 4.006, eff. 9/1/2023.