Rule 24 - ASSOCIATE JUDGES24.1. Pursuant to Texas Government Code 54A.002(d), the County Criminal Courts at Law establishes this rule to govern Associate Judge Positions to serve all County Criminal Courts at Law Trying Criminal Cases in Harris County.24.2. The appointment of each Associate Judge Position shall be made by County Criminal Courts at Law by approval of two-thirds (2/3) of the elected Judges for the County Criminal Courts at Law Trying Criminal Cases in Harris County.24.3. The qualifications for Associate Judges shall be governed by Texas Government Code 54A.003. In addition, to qualify for an appointment as an Associate Judge to serve all County Criminal Courts at Law Trying Criminal Cases in Harris County, a person must possess the following: 24.3.1. significant criminal law experience, including knowledge of statutory and constitutional procedure, court trial procedure, the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Texas Penal Code;24.3.2. the ability to conduct objective hearings; evaluate facts; and apply knowledge of the law to issues arising in misdemeanor cases; and24.3.3. the capability of handling busy, diverse, dockets with minimal supervision.24.4. The compensation for Associate Judges shall be governed by Texas Government Code 54A.00424.5. The termination of an Associate Judges shall be governed by Texas Government Code 54A.005.24.6. The Judges for the County Criminal Courts at Law Trying Criminal Cases in Harris County may refer any of the following matters to an Associate Judge pursuant to Texas Government Code 54A.006. 24.6.1. (a) a negotiated plea of guilty or no contest before the court; 24.6.2. (b) a bond forfeiture;24.6.3. (c) a pretrial motion;24.6.4. (d) a writ of habeas corpus;24.6.5. (e) an examining trial;24.6.6. (f) an occupational driver's license;24.6.7. (g) an appeal of an administrative driver's license revocation hearing;24.6.8. (h) a civil commitment matter under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and Safety Code;24.6.9. (i) setting, adjusting, or revoking bond; 24.6.10. (j) the issuance of search warrants, including a search warrant under Article 18.02(a)(10), Code of Criminal Procedure, notwithstanding Article 18.01(c), Code of Criminal Procedure; and24.6.11. (k) any other matter the judge considers necessary and proper.24.6.12. (l) An associate judge may accept an agreed plea of guilty or no contest from a defendant charged with misdemeanor, felony, or both misdemeanor and felony offenses and may assess punishment if a plea agreement is announced on the record between the defendant and the state.24.6.13. (m) An associate judge has all of the powers of a magistrate under the laws of this state and may administer an oath for any purpose.24.6.14. (n) An associate judge may select a jury. Except as provided in Subsection (l), an associate judge may not preside over a trial on the merits, whether or not the trial is before a jury.24.7. Each County Criminal Courts at Law Trying Criminal Cases in Harris County referring a matter to an Associate Judge shall enter an Order of Referral pursuant to Texas Government Code 54A.007 and the procedural rules of docketing and transferring cases established by the Rules of Court of the Harris County Criminal Courts at Law (Local Rules).24.8. The powers of the Associate Judges shall be governed by Texas Government Code 54A.008.24.9. All other requirements and limitation on Associate Judges pursuant to Subchapter A of Texas Government Code 54A will apply.L. R. Harris Cnty. Crim. Ct. 24
As amended through 10/22/2021; as amended through 12/9/2022.