CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

TITLE 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 50A. FIRE INQUESTS


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.001.  FIRES REQUIRING INQUEST.  A justice of the peace shall conduct a fire inquest if a credible person makes an affidavit before the justice of the peace that there is reason to believe a building has been unlawfully set or attempted to be set on fire.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.002.  FIRE INQUEST PROCEEDINGS GOVERNED BY LAWS RELATING TO DEATH INQUESTS; POWERS OF INVESTIGATOR.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, a fire inquest proceeding under this chapter is governed by the laws relating to death inquests under Chapter 49A.
(b)  An officer conducting a fire inquest under this chapter has the same powers as a justice of the peace under Chapter 49A.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.003.  WITNESS TESTIMONY.  The testimony of each witness examined before a jury in a fire inquest under this chapter shall be:
(1)  reduced to writing by or under the direction of the justice of the peace; and
(2)  signed by the witness.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.004.  JURY VERDICT IN FIRE INQUEST.  (a)  After inspecting the location that is the subject of a fire inquest and hearing the testimony, a jury in the inquest shall deliver to the justice of the peace conducting the inquest the jury's written signed verdict, in which the jury shall find and certify:
(1)  how and in what manner the fire occurred or was attempted to be set and all other circumstances attending the fire or attempted fire; and
(2)  the person guilty of setting or attempting to set the fire, and the manner of the person's guilt.
(b)  If the jury is unable to make a determination under Subsection (a)(1) or (2), the jury shall find and certify accordingly.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.005.  WITNESSES BOUND OVER.  If the jury finds that a building has been unlawfully set or attempted to be set on fire, the justice of the peace conducting the fire inquest shall bind over each witness to appear and testify before the next grand jury of the county in which the offense was committed.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.006.  ISSUANCE OF ARREST WARRANT.  If a person charged with the offense described by Article 50A.005 is not in custody, the justice of the peace conducting the fire inquest shall issue a warrant for the person's arrest.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.007.  INQUEST RESULT REPORTED TO DISTRICT COURT.  (a) The justice of the peace conducting the inquest shall certify the testimony described by Article 50A.003, the verdict, and all bail bonds taken in the case.
(b)  The justice of the peace shall return the items described by Subsection (a) to the next district or criminal district court of the justice's county.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.


Text of article effective on April 01, 2027

Art. 50A.008.  COMPENSATION FOR OFFICERS AND JURY.  The amount and manner of compensation for the officers and jury members performing a fire inquest under this chapter shall, to the extent applicable, be the same as that allowed for an inquest conducted under Chapter 49A.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 202 (H.B. 1610), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2027.