CHAPTER 50. FIRE INQUESTS - Texas Statutes

CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

TITLE 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 50. FIRE INQUESTS

Art. 50.01. INVESTIGATIONS. When an affidavit is made by a

credible person before any justice of the peace that there is

ground to believe that any building has been unlawfully set or

attempted to be set on fire, such justice shall cause the truth

of such complaint to be investigated.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.

Art. 50.02. PROCEEDINGS. The proceedings in such case shall be

governed by the laws relating to inquests upon dead bodies. The

officer conducting such investigations shall have the same powers

as are conferred upon justices of the peace in the preceding

Articles of this Chapter.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.

Art. 50.03. VERDICT IN FIRE INQUEST. The jury after inspecting

the place in question and after hearing the testimony, shall

deliver to the justice holding such inquest its written signed

verdict in which it shall find and certify how and in what manner

such fire happened or was attempted, and all the circumstances

attending the same, and who are guilty thereof, and in what

manner. If such a jury is unable to so ascertain, it shall find

and certify accordingly.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722. Amended by Acts

1973, 63rd Leg., p. 968, ch. 399, Sec. 2(A), eff. Jan. 1, 1974.

Art. 50.04. WITNESSES BOUND OVER. If the jury finds that any

building has been unlawfully set on fire or has been attempted so

to be, the justice holding such inquest shall bind over the

witnesses to appear and testify before the next grand jury of the

county in which such offense was committed.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.

Art. 50.05. WARRANT FOR ACCUSED. If the person charged with the

offense, if any, be not in custody, the justice of the peace

shall issue a warrant for his arrest, and when arrested, such

person shall be dealt with as in other like cases.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.

Art. 50.06. TESTIMONY WRITTEN DOWN. In all such investigations,

the testimony of all witnesses examined before the jury shall be

reduced to writing by or under the direction of the justice and

signed by each witness. Such testimony together with the verdict

and all bail bonds taken in the case shall be certified to and

returned by the justice to the next district or criminal district

court of his county.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.

Art. 50.07. COMPENSATION. The pay of the officers and jury

making such investigation shall be the same as that allowed for

the holding of an inquest upon a dead body, so far as applicable,

and shall be paid in like manner.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., vol. 2, p. 317, ch. 722.