CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 50. FIRE INQUESTS




Art. 50.01. [990] [1081] [1044] 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. [991] [1082] [1045] 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. [992] [1083] [1046] 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. [993] [1084] [1047] 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. [994] [1085] [1048] 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. [995] [1086] [1049] 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. [996] [1087] [1050] 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.