Sec. 30.00265.  MAGISTRATES.  (a)  The governing body may appoint one or more magistrates.
(b)  A magistrate does not have to possess all the qualifications necessary to be a municipal court of record judge.
(c)  A magistrate may not preside over the court or hear contested cases.
(d)  A magistrate may:
(1)  conduct an arraignment;
(2)  hold an indigency hearing;
(3)  accept a plea;
(4)  sign a judgment;
(5)  set the amount of a bond;  and
(6)  perform other functions under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. May 23, 1995.  Renumbered from Government Code, Sec. 30.1045 by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 8.09, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.