Bill > HB5620

This bill creates a new legal framework for criminal associate judges in Coke, Concho, Irion, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, and Tom Green Counties, establishing detailed provisions for their appointment and responsibilities. Specifically, the bill allows judges of specific district courts to appoint full-time or part-time criminal associate judges, but only after the county commissioners court authorizes such a position. These associate judges can be assigned to handle a wide range of criminal and related civil proceedings, including negotiated plea agreements, bond forfeitures, pretrial motions, habeas corpus writs, examining trials, occupational driver's license matters, expunction petitions, and specialty court proceedings. While they can accept guilty pleas, select juries, and handle many judicial tasks, criminal associate judges are explicitly prohibited from presiding over criminal trials on the merits. The bill also amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to recognize these new associate judges as magistrates, which expands their official legal status. The legislation is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and is intended to be harmonized with other legislative acts during the 89th Legislature's Regular Session.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5620