Texas Government Code 121.004 – Jurisdiction and Authority of Judge or Magistrate in Regional Specialty Court Program
(a) A judge or magistrate appointed to preside over a regional specialty court program may hear any misdemeanor or felony case properly transferred to the program by an originating trial court participating in the program, regardless of whether the originating trial court and specialty court program are in the same county. The appointed judge or magistrate may exercise only the authority granted under this subtitle.
(b) The judge or magistrate of a regional specialty court program may for a case properly transferred to the program:
(1) enter orders, judgments, and decrees for the case;
(2) sign orders of detention, order community service, or impose other reasonable and necessary sanctions;
(3) send recommendations for dismissal and expunction to the originating trial court for a defendant who successfully completes the program; and
(4) return the case and documentation required by this subtitle to the originating trial court for final disposition on a defendant’s successful completion of or removal from the program.
Terms Used In Texas Government Code 121.004
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(c) A visiting judge assigned to preside over a regional specialty court program has the same authority as the judge or magistrate appointed to preside over the program.