Texas law on any date › Local Government Code

Local Government Code §85.005

In force on Jan 03, 2008 · this text took effect Aug 28, 1989 · same as today's text

GUARDS; PENALTY

(a) The sheriff may, with the approval of the commissioners court or, in the case of an emergency, with the approval of the county judge, employ a sufficient number of guards to ensure the safekeeping of prisoners and the security of a jail. (b) In case of an emergency, a guard is subject to being called to duty by the sheriff. (c) A person charged with the responsibility of enforcing this section commits an offense if the person violates the section. An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $200.

History: Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1, Sec. 12(a), eff. Aug. 28, 1989.

Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Nov 08, 2026.

Every version on file

Effective Aug 28, 1989 · seen Nov 2026–Nov 2026

Attorney General opinions that cite it

GA-0645 (Jan 03, 2008): Whether a county commissioner may be paid while working for the county sheriff in the jail division
JM-1047 (May 18, 1989): Whether a justice of the peace may also serve as a jailer

A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.