Sec. 54.2407.  POWERS.  (a)  Except as limited by an order of referral, a magistrate to whom a case is referred may:
(1)  conduct hearings;
(2)  hear evidence;
(3)  compel production of relevant evidence in civil or criminal matters;
(4)  rule on disputes regarding civil discovery;
(5)  rule on admissibility of evidence;
(6)  issue summons for the appearance of witnesses;
(7)  examine witnesses;
(8)  swear witnesses for hearings;
(9)  make findings of fact on evidence;
(10)  formulate conclusions of law;
(11)  rule on a pretrial motion;
(12)  recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be made in a case;
(13)  regulate proceedings in a hearing;
(14)  accept a plea of guilty from a defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses;
(15)  select a jury;
(16)  accept a negotiated plea on a probation revocation;
(17)  conduct a contested probation revocation hearing;
(18)  sign a dismissal in a misdemeanor case;
(19)  enter an order of dismissal or nonsuit on agreement of the parties in a civil case;
(20)  in any case referred under Section 54.2405(a)(1), accept a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest and:
(A)  enter a finding of guilt and impose or suspend the sentence; or
(B)  defer adjudication of guilt;
(21)  conduct initial juvenile detention hearings if approved by the juvenile board of Fort Bend County; and
(22)  perform any act and take any measure necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the order of referral.
(b)  A magistrate may sign a motion to dismiss submitted by an attorney representing the state on cases referred to the magistrate, or on dockets called by the magistrate, and may consider unadjudicated cases at sentencing under Section 12.45, Penal Code.
(c)  Except as provided by Sections 54.2405(e) and (f), a magistrate 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 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 606 (S.B. 891), Sec. 5.06, eff. September 1, 2019.