Tex. Gov't Code Section 54A.209
Powers of Associate Judge


(a)

Except as limited by an order of referral, an associate judge may:

(1)

conduct a hearing;

(2)

hear evidence;

(3)

compel production of relevant evidence;

(4)

rule on the admissibility of evidence;

(5)

issue a summons for the appearance of witnesses;

(6)

examine a witness;

(7)

swear a witness for a hearing;

(8)

make findings of fact on evidence;

(9)

formulate conclusions of law;

(10)

rule on pretrial motions;

(11)

recommend the rulings, orders, or judgment to be made in a case;

(12)

regulate all proceedings in a hearing before the associate judge;

(13)

take action as necessary and proper for the efficient performance of the duties required by the order of referral;

(14)

order the attachment of a witness or party who fails to obey a subpoena;

(15)

order the detention of a witness or party found guilty of contempt, pending approval by the referring court as provided by Section 54A.214 (Order of Court);

(16)

without prejudice to the right to a de novo hearing under Section 54A.216 (De Novo Hearing Before Referring Court), render and sign:

(A)

a final order agreed to in writing as to both form and substance by all parties;

(B)

a final default order;

(C)

a temporary order;

(D)

a final order in a case in which a party files an unrevoked waiver made in accordance with Rule 119, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, that waives notice to the party of the final hearing or waives the party’s appearance at the final hearing;

(E)

an order specifying that the court clerk shall issue:
(i)
letters testamentary or of administration; or
(ii)
letters of guardianship; or

(F)

an order for inpatient or outpatient mental health, intellectual disability, or chemical dependency services or an order authorizing psychoactive medications; and

(17)

sign a final order that includes a waiver of the right to a de novo hearing in accordance with Section 54A.216 (De Novo Hearing Before Referring Court).

(b)

An associate judge may, in the interest of justice, refer a case back to the referring court regardless of whether a timely objection to the associate judge hearing the trial on the merits or presiding at a jury trial has been made by any party.

(c)

An order described by Subsection (a)(16) that is rendered and signed by an associate judge constitutes an order of the referring court. The judge of the referring court shall sign the order not later than the 30th day after the date the associate judge signs the order.

(d)

An answer filed by or on behalf of a party who previously filed a waiver described in Subsection (a)(16)(D) revokes that waiver.
Transferred, redesignated and amended from Government Code, Subchapter G, Chapter 54 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 79), Sec. 6.02, eff. January 1, 2012.
Amended by:
Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 30 (H.B. 446), Sec. 5.01, eff. September 1, 2023.

Source: Section 54A.209 — Powers of Associate Judge, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.­54A.­htm#54A.­209 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

54A.001
Applicability
54A.002
Appointment
54A.003
Qualifications
54A.004
Compensation
54A.005
Termination
54A.006
Proceedings that May Be Referred
54A.007
Order of Referral
54A.008
Powers
54A.009
Attendance of Bailiff
54A.010
Court Reporter
54A.011
Witness
54A.012
Papers Transmitted to Judge
54A.013
Judicial Action
54A.014
Judicial Immunity
54A.101
Applicability
54A.102
Appointment
54A.103
Qualifications
54A.104
Compensation
54A.105
Termination
54A.106
Cases that May Be Referred
54A.107
Methods of Referral
54A.108
Powers
54A.109
Witness
54A.110
Court Reporter
54A.111
Notice of Decision
54A.112
Notice of Right to De Novo Hearing
54A.113
Order of Court
54A.114
Judicial Action on Associate Judge’s Proposed Order or Judgment
54A.115
De Novo Hearing
54A.116
Appellate Review
54A.117
Judicial Action
54A.118
Judicial Immunity
54A.201
Definition
54A.202
Applicability
54A.203
Appointment
54A.204
Qualifications
54A.205
Compensation
54A.206
Termination of Associate Judge
54A.207
Cases that May Be Referred
54A.208
Methods of Referral
54A.209
Powers of Associate Judge
54A.210
Witness
54A.211
Court Reporter
54A.212
Report
54A.213
Notice of Right to De Novo Hearing Before Referring Court
54A.214
Order of Court
54A.215
Judicial Action on Associate Judge’s Proposed Order or Judgment
54A.216
De Novo Hearing Before Referring Court
54A.217
Appellate Review
54A.218
Immunity
54A.219
Visiting Associate Judges
54A.301
Definitions
54A.302
Applicability
54A.303
Applicability of Other Law
54A.304
Appointment
54A.305
Qualifications
54A.306
Term of Appointment
54A.307
Compensation of Associate Judge
54A.308
Designation and Responsibilities of Host County
54A.309
Methods of Referral
54A.310
General Powers of Associate Judge
54A.311
Judicial Action on Associate Judge’s Proposed Order or Judgment
54A.312
Personnel
54A.313
Supervision, Training, and Evaluation of Associate Judges
54A.314
Funding and Personnel
54A.315
Assignment of Judges and Appointment of Visiting Associate Judges
54A.316
Limitation on Law Practice
54A.317
Immunity
54A.2071
Oath
54A.2091
Attendance of Bailiff

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 54A.209’s source at texas​.gov