A magistrate judge is a judicial officer of the U.S. district court appointed by the district judges of the court to handle a variety of judicial proceedings. They are not a separate court, but rather exercise the jurisdiction of the district court itself, delegated to them by the district judges of the court under governing statutory authority, local rules of court, or court orders. Some of the duties of a magistrate judge include:
- Overseeing first appearances of criminal defendants
- Setting bail
- Conducting other administrative duties
- Issuing warrants
- Conducting preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, such as initial appearances and arraignments
- Hearing cases involving petty offenses committed on federal lands
- Handling pretrial motions and hearings in civil and criminal cases
Magistrate judges may also preside over civil trials if all parties consent, although most civil cases are tried by district judges. The position and authority of magistrate judges were established in 1968 by federal law, and they must meet certain qualifications to be appointed. The correct title for a United States Magistrate Judge is "United States Magistrate Judge," "U.S. Magistrate Judge," or "Magistrate Judge".
