Texas Code of Criminal Procedure
§ 49A.069 — INQUEST HEARING; CONTEMPT
CR § 49A.069Title 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · Ch. 49A. DEATH INQUESTS · Art. B. INQUESTS BY JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Statute text
View on source(a)A justice of the peace conducting an inquest may hold an inquest hearing if the justice determines that the circumstances warrant the hearing. The justice shall hold an inquest hearing if requested by a district attorney or a criminal district attorney of the county in which the body was found.
(b)An inquest hearing may be held with or without a jury unless the district attorney or criminal district attorney requests a jury for the hearing.
(c)A jury in an inquest hearing is composed of six persons. Jurors must be summoned in the same manner as jurors are summoned for county court.
(d)A justice of the peace may hold a public or private inquest hearing. If a person is arrested and charged with causing the death of another, the person and the person's counsel are entitled to be present at the inquest hearing, examine witnesses, and introduce evidence.
(e)A justice of the peace may:
(1)issue a subpoena to enforce the attendance of a witness at an inquest hearing;
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