Sec. 54.1853.  POWERS AND DUTIES.  (a)  The Commissioners Court of Brazoria County shall establish the powers and duties of a magistrate appointed under this subchapter.  Except as otherwise provided by the commissioners court, a magistrate has the powers of a magistrate under the Code of Criminal Procedure and other laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.
(b)  A magistrate shall give preference to performing the duties of a magistrate under Article 15.17, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(c)  The commissioners court may designate one or more magistrates to hold regular hearings to:
(1)  give admonishments;
(2)  set and review bail and conditions of release;
(3)  appoint legal counsel; and
(4)  determine other routine matters relating to preindictment or pending cases within those courts' jurisdiction.
(d)  In the hearings provided under Subsection (c), a magistrate shall give preference to the case of an individual held in county jail.
(e)  A magistrate may inquire into a defendant's intended plea to the charge and set the case for an appropriate hearing before a judge or master.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 646 (H.B. 1750), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.