Local Rule 421: DISPOSITION OF MISDEMEANOR ACTIONS
E.D. Cal. — Criminal rule
RULE 421 (Fed. R. Crim. P. 58)
DISPOSITION OF MISDEMEANOR ACTIONS
(a) Authorization. Each Magistrate Judge is designated to try persons accused of misdemeanors and petty offenses and to sentence such persons upon conviction. See L.R. 302(b)(2).
(b) Pretrial and Post-Trial Matters. Except as set forth herein, the Magistrate Judge to whom a misdemeanor or petty offense action is assigned shall have the authority to hear and dispose of all pretrial or post-trial matters arising in that action.
(c) Jury Trials. When a defendant requests a jury trial in an action pending before a Magistrate Judge in Bakersfield, Redding, or Yosemite National Park the Magistrate Judge may set the matter for trial in Sacramento or Fresno or may transfer the action to Sacramento or Fresno for trial. See L.R. 120(d).
(d) Presentence Reports. Each Magistrate Judge is authorized to direct the Probation Office to conduct a presentence investigation and to render a report as provided in Fed. R. Crim. P. 32 and L.R. 460. Such requests by Magistrate Judges in misdemeanor petty offense actions shall be limited to those actions in which the Magistrate Judge determines that exceptional circumstances exist. See L.R. 460.