Sec. 54.876.  PROCEEDING THAT MAY BE REFERRED.  (a)  A district judge or a county court at law judge may refer to a magistrate any criminal case for proceedings involving:
(1)  a negotiated plea of guilty before the court;
(2)  a bond forfeiture;
(3)  a pretrial motion;
(4)  a postconviction writ of habeas corpus;
(5)  an examining trial;  and
(6)  any other matter the judge considers necessary and proper.
(b)  A magistrate may accept a plea of guilty for a misdemeanor or felony.
(c)  A magistrate may not preside over a trial on the merits, whether or not the trial is before a jury.
(d)  A judge of a court designated a juvenile court may refer to a magistrate any proceeding over which a juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction under Title 3, Family Code, including any matter ancillary to the proceeding.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 25, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 28, 1989.  Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 602, Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 1999.