Texas House Bill HB3554

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/21/09
• Voted on by House: 5/6/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/14/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/22/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Report Pass: 5/14/09
• Enrolled: 5/23/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the appointment of an associate judge to serve a district court in Brazoria County.

Impact

This legislation grants associate judges the powers to handle specific types of cases, including civil cases and certain criminal proceedings such as bond forfeitures and pretrial motions. However, it explicitly prohibits them from presiding over full criminal trials. This limitation ensures that serious criminal cases still require oversight from a district judge, while providing a streamlined process for less complex matters. The addition of associate judges is expected to expedite the court's processing of cases in Brazoria County.

Summary

House Bill 3554 seeks to amend the Government Code of Texas by introducing provisions for the appointment of associate judges in Brazoria County. The bill stipulates that a district court judge in this county may appoint one or more associate judges to assist with various duties as outlined in the subchapter. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of judicial proceedings in Brazoria County by allowing the referral of certain legal matters to appointed associate judges, thereby alleviating case loads in the district courts.

Contention

Some might argue that creating associate judges could lead to confusion regarding the hierarchy and the responsibilities of different judicial officers. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of associate judges in handling complex legal matters, as their role is primarily to support district judges. Critics of such measures often worry about maintaining the integrity and standards of judicial proceedings, especially in criminal matters where the stakes are considerably higher. Thus, while the bill aims to improve judicial efficiency, the implications of the associate judges' authority remain a topic for further discussion.