Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 611 amends the Government Code to authorize a judge of a county criminal court of Dallas County, with the approval of the Dallas County Commissioners Court, to appoint a magistrate to perform duties prescribed by statute. The act expands the list of matters a district judge is authorized to refer to a magistrate to include a criminal case involving a negotiated plea of nolo contendere and a criminal case involving an occupational driver's license. The act also limits the court's requirement to provide a court reporter to record the proceedings before the magistrate to only felony cases.