Local Rule LR 72.4: Other Duties of Magistrate Judges

LR 72.4 Other Duties of Magistrate Judges. A Magistrate Judge is also authorized to:

(a) Conduct pretrial conferences, settlement conferences, omnibus hearings, and related pretrial proceedings;

(b) Conduct arraignments in cases not triable by the Magistrate Judge to the extent of taking a not guilty plea or noting a defendant's intention to plead guilty or nolo contendere and ordering a presentence report in appropriate cases;

(c) Receive grand jury returns in accordance with Rule 6(f) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure;

(d) Conduct voir dire and select petit juries for Court, and accept petit jury verdicts in civil cases in the absence of the District Judge;

(e) Conduct necessary proceedings leading to the potential revocation of probation or supervised release;

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

(g) Order the exoneration or forfeiture of bonds;

(h) Conduct proceedings for the collection of civil penalties of not more than $200.00 assessed under the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971, in accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 1484(d);

(i) Conduct examinations of judgment debtors in accordance with Rule 69 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure;

(j) When authorized by the District Judge, a full‑time Magistrate Judge may:

(1) accept waivers of indictment, pursuant to Rule 7(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure;

(2) conduct proceedings for initial commitment of narcotics addicts under Title III of the Narcotic Addict Rehabilitation Act; and

(3) perform the functions specified in 18 U.S.C. §§ 4107, 4108, and 4109 regarding proceedings for verification of consent by offenders to transfer to or from the United States and for the appointment of counsel.

(k) Exercise the contempt powers conferred by 28 U.S.C. § 636(c).