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House Bill 3541 |
House Author: Cook, Robby |
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Effective: 9-1-05 |
Senate Sponsor: Ogden |
House Bill 3541 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to expand the definition of a magistrate to include magistrates appointed by the judges of the district courts and the statutory county courts of Brazos County. In addition, the bill amends the Government Code to expand the range of criminal law, family law, and tax cases that can be referred to a magistrate in Brazos County. The bill further provides that a magistrate in Brazos County may preside over a bench trial on the merits, with the written consent of the parties and the approval of the referring judge.