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Commissioners authorize reassignment of magistrates to meet SB9 requirements; vote 3–2
Summary
The Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted 3–2 to authorize reassigning certain Chapter 54 magistrates to Chapter 54A associate judges to comply with SB9, a state law transferring elevated bond-setting responsibilities to judges or associate judges. County judges said the change will speed bond-setting; opponents warned of due‑process risks.
A divided Tarrant County Commissioners Court approved a motion to reassign selected Chapter 54 magistrates as Chapter 54A associate judges on Tuesday, a procedural change county judges said is needed to implement SB9 and keep bond-setting timely.
Judge Steve Jumas, speaking for the county felony judiciary, told the court SB9 — passed in the 2025 regular session — shifted some bail responsibilities away from magistrates to elected district judges and associate judges. He said the reassignment would let the elected judges focus on trials…
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