Texas Statutes
Chapter 52 - Proceedings Before and Including Referral to Court
Section 52.0151. Bench Warrant; Attachment of Witness in Custody

Sec. 52.0151. BENCH WARRANT; ATTACHMENT OF WITNESS IN CUSTODY. (a) If a witness is in a placement in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, a juvenile secure detention facility, or a juvenile secure correctional facility, the court may issue a bench warrant or direct that an attachment issue to require a peace officer or probation officer to secure custody of the person at the placement and produce the person in court. Once the person is no longer needed as a witness or the period prescribed by Subsection (c) has expired without extension, the court shall order the peace officer or probation officer to return the person to the placement from which the person was released.
(b) The court may order that the person who is the witness be detained in a certified juvenile detention facility if the person is younger than 17 years of age. If the person is at least 17 years of age, the court may order that the person be detained without bond in an appropriate county facility for the detention of adults accused of criminal offenses.
(c) A witness held in custody under this section may be placed in a certified juvenile detention facility for a period not to exceed 30 days. The length of placement may be extended in 30-day increments by the court that issued the original bench warrant. If the placement is not extended, the period under this section expires and the witness may be returned as provided by Subsection (a).
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1299 (H.B. 2862), Sec. 13, eff. September 1, 2013.

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