Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in District of Columbia
U.S. Dist. Court Magistrate Judge's Order
Thought U.S. Dist. Ct. Magistrate Judge could NOT issue any orders per Federal Rules of Law. If this is not correct, under what Fed. Rule of Law can this be done when no one has signed the forms giving permission to that judge to act as a regular judge.
Asked on 6/22/08, 9:12 am
2 Answers from Attorneys
Daniel Press
Chung & Press, P.C.
Re: U.S. Dist. Court Magistrate Judge's Order
In general, a magistrate judge can issue orders on all sorts of pretrial non-dispositive matters, even without consent. See generally 28 USC Section 636.
Answered on 6/23/08, 9:59 am
Michael Hendrickson
Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson
Re: U.S. Dist. Court Magistrate Judge's Order
A defendant charged with certain petty or misdemeanor offenses under federal law must first give his or her consent to have the matter adjudicated before such a judge before it can actually occur.
Answered on 6/22/08, 11:40 pm