Local Rule Rule 72.1: DUTIES OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Rule 72.1 DUTIES OF THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

(a) Duties Under 28 U.S.C. § 636 Each United States magistrate judge of this Court is authorized to perform the duties prescribed by 28 U.S.C. § 636, as well as exercise all the powers and duties conferred or imposed upon magistrate judges by statute and rules.

(b) Determination of Non-Dispositive Pretrial Matters [28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(A)]. A magistrate judge may hear and determine non-dispositive matters, prescribed by 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(A), when requested by a district judge.

(c) Assignment of Pretrial Dispositive Motions by the Court [28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(B)]. A district judge may designate a magistrate judge to conduct hearings as prescribed by 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(B). A magistrate judge shall submit to a district judge findings of fact and recommendations for the final disposition of the following matters:

(1) motions for injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions;

(2) motions for judgment on the pleadings;

(3) motions for summary judgment;

(4) motions to dismiss or permit the maintenance of a class action;

(5) motions to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted;

(6) motions to involuntarily dismiss an action;

(7) motions for review of default judgment; and

(8) any additional duties consistent with the laws of the United States.

(d) Automatic Referrals. The Clerk of Court shall automatically refer a magistrate judge those matters as designated by the district judge upon filing.

(e) Referral of Civil Cases to Magistrate Judge. Each district judge of this Court may refer civil cases to the full-time magistrate judges pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636 and Local Rule 73.1.

(f) Additional Duties. A magistrate judge shall have authority to:

(1) accept petit jury verdicts in the absence of a district judge;

(2) issue subpoenas, writs of habeas corpus ad testificandum or habeas corpus ad prosequendum or other orders necessary to obtain the presence of parties, witnesses or evidence needed for court proceedings;

(3) order the exoneration or forfeiture of bonds;

(4) conduct proceedings for the collection of civil penalties of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) assessed in accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 4311(d) and § 12309(c);

(5) conduct examinations of judgment debtors in accordance with Fed. R. Civ. P. 69;

(6) exercise contempt authority as authorized by law;

(7) consider and rule upon applications for administrative inspection warrants and orders permitting entry upon a taxpayer's premises to effect levies in satisfaction of unpaid tax deficits; and

(8) other proceedings upon special designation of a district judge or pursuant to an order of the Court not inconsistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, applicable statutes, or other laws of the United States.