In Re Canales

In these consolidated mandamus petitions, we must decide whether real party in interest Cynthia Barrera's objection to a visiting judge under section 74.053 of the Texas Government Code was timely although not made until after the judge had heard and ruled on pretrial matters in the case. Because we conclude that the statute contemplates that objections be made before the first hearing over which the visiting judge is to preside in a case rather than to a particular assignment order, Barrera's objection was untimely and the trial court properly rejected it. The court of appeals therefore abused its discretion in conditionally granting Barrera a writ of mandamus.