Some Denton County judges may refer listed criminal and juvenile matters to the criminal law magistrate court, and the associate judge may perform specified hearing and case-management functions unless limited by an order of referral.
Sec. 54.2811. PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED. (a) A district court judge with jurisdiction in Denton County, the judge of a criminal statutory county court of Denton County, or the judge of the juvenile court of Denton County may refer to the criminal law magistrate court the following matters in a criminal case: (1) a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest before the court; (2) a bond forfeiture, remittitur, and related proceedings; (3) a pretrial motion; (4) a writ of habeas corpus; (5) an examining trial; (6) jury selection; (7) an occupational driver's license; (8) a waiver of extradition or a related matter under Chapter 51, Code of Criminal Procedure; (9) the issuance of search warrants, including a search warrant under Article 18.02(a)(10), Code of Criminal Procedure, notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of Criminal Procedure; (10) a petition for an order of expunction under Chapter 55A, Code of Criminal Procedure; (11) an asset forfeiture hearing as provided by Chapter 59, Code of Criminal Procedure; (12) a civil commitment matter under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code; (13) setting, adjusting, or revoking bond; (14) the conduct of initial juvenile detention hearings or any other matter in a juvenile case if referred by the judge of the juvenile court of the county and approved by the Denton County Juvenile Board; and (15) any other matter the judge considers necessary and proper. (b) Except as limited by an order of referral, the criminal law magistrate court associate judge may: (1) conduct a hearing; (2) hear evidence; (3) compel production of relevant evidence; (4) rule on the admissibility of evidence; (5) issue a summons for the appearance of witnesses; (6) examine a witness; (7) swear a witness for a hearing; (8) make findings of fact on evidence; (9) formulate conclusions of law; (10) rule on pretrial motions; (11) recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be made in a case; (12) regulate proceedings in a hearing before the associate judge; (13) accept a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest made before the court and: (A) enter a finding of guilty and impose or suspend the sentence; or (B) defer adjudication of guilt; (14) select a jury; (15) accept a negotiated plea in a probation revocation; (16) conduct a contested probation revocation hearing; (17) sign a dismissal in a misdemeanor case; and (18) perform any act and take any measure necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the order of referral. (c) Notwithstanding Section 54.2803(b), the judge of the juvenile court of Denton County may refer to the criminal law magistrate court associate judge any proceeding over which the juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction under Title 3, Family Code, including any matter ancillary to that proceeding. The criminal law magistrate court associate judge may accept a plea of guilty for a misdemeanor or felony or a plea of true from a defendant or juvenile, regardless of the classification of the offense charged or the conduct alleged. (d) The criminal law magistrate court associate judge may sign a motion to dismiss submitted by an attorney representing the state on cases referred to the judge, or on dockets called by the judge, and may consider unadjudicated cases at sentencing under Section 12.45, Penal Code. (e) A criminal law magistrate, including the criminal law magistrate court associate judge, has all of the powers of a magistrate under the laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 4.006, eff. September 1, 2023. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 204 (H.B. 1620), Sec. 8.005, eff. September 1, 2025.