Bill Text: TX SB1894 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to proceedings that may be referred to and the powers of a criminal law magistrate in Bexar County.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (N/A - Dead) 2011-04-26 - No action taken in committee [SB1894 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB1894-Introduced.html

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82R9009 PMO-F
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1894

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to proceedings that may be referred to and the powers of a
criminal law magistrate in Bexar County.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.906(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) A judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case for
proceedings involving:
(1) a bond forfeiture;
(2) a pretrial motion;
(3) a postconviction writ of habeas corpus;
(4) an examining trial;
(5) the issuance of search warrants, including a
search warrant under Article 18.02(10), Code of Criminal Procedure,
notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of Criminal Procedure;
(6) the setting of bonds;
(7) the arraignment of defendants; [and]
(8) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere from a
defendant charged with a misdemeanor offense;
(9) a plea of guilty or nolo contendere for a
misdemeanor from a defendant charged with both misdemeanor and
felony offenses; and
(10) any other matter the judge considers necessary
and proper, including a negotiated plea of guilty before the court.
SECTION 2. Section 54.908(a), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) Except as limited by an order of referral, a magistrate
to whom a case is referred may:
(1) conduct hearings;
(2) hear evidence;
(3) compel production of relevant evidence;
(4) rule on admissibility of evidence;
(5) issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
(6) examine witnesses;
(7) swear witnesses for hearings;
(8) make findings of fact on evidence;
(9) formulate conclusions of law;
(10) rule on a pretrial motion;
(11) recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be
made in a case;
(12) regulate proceedings in a hearing;
(13) accept a plea of guilty from a defendant charged
with a misdemeanor offense;
(14) accept a plea of guilty for a misdemeanor from a
defendant charged with both misdemeanor and felony offenses;
(15) [(14)] notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of
Criminal Procedure, issue a search warrant under Article 18.02(10),
Code of Criminal Procedure; and
(16) [(15)] do any act and take any measure necessary
and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by
the order of referral.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2011.