Local Rule LOCAL CRIMINAL RULE 5: INITIAL APPEARANCE BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

LOCAL CRIMINAL RULE 5 - INITIAL APPEARANCE BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE JUDGE

(a) Pre-trial proceedings in criminal matters may be referred to a Magistrate Judge for decision or for report and recommendation, in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A) and (B), by specific referral of the presiding District Judge or by any general or standing orders.

(b) Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3153(c)(1), which governs the availability of the pretrial services report to counsel for the accused and for the government prior to any detention hearing, the United States Probation Office for the Middle District of Louisiana is authorized to disclose pretrial services reports to counsel for the accused and for the government. This disclosure shall be accomplished by filing the pretrial services report for each case under seal in the CM/ECF filing system prior to or immediately after an initial appearance. Counsel for the accused and for the government may retain these reports but must not re-disclose the reports to other persons. When a copy of the report is filed under seal, it will have a header on the first page advising the attorney that (a) the report is not to be copied, (b) the report is not a public record, and (c) the content may not be disclosed to other persons. Other than the disclosures laid out herein, the reports shall remain confidential, as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 3153(c)(1).