Is the right of a litigant to "veto" the first visiting or substitute judge limited to civil cases? I was thinking that it was a civil rule but one of my judges needs a quick answer if a defendant can do so in a criminal case. Any help is appreciated.

I don't have the cite but it is in the government code, I believe.

The answer is no, a criminal defendant or the state is not allowed to object to a visiting judge, absent any grounds of recusal that any judge would be subject to.

Thanks, Greg. I went through Bastrop the other day and started to drop by... but running late as usual.

Next time, I'll buy you a hamburger. I still owe you one.