(a) Criminal Cases. Upon the return of an indictment or the filing of an information, all criminal cases
shall be assigned by the Clerk of the Court to a Magistrate Judge for the conduct of an initial
appearance and arraignment and the appointment of counsel to the extent authorized by law. The
Magistrate Judge shall conduct such pretrial conferences as are necessary and shall hear and
determine all pretrial procedural and discovery motions, in accordance with Rule 72.2, supra. A full-
time Magistrate Judge may hear motions to suppress evidence and motions to dismiss or quash an
indictment or information made by the defendant and shall submit a report and recommended
disposition of such motions to the District Judge in accordance with Rule 72.3, supra. In conducting
such proceedings, the Magistrate Judge shall conform to the general procedural rules of this Court
and the instructions of the assigned District Judge.
(b) Civil Cases. A Magistrate Judge may issue scheduling orders, and, where requested by the
presiding District Judge, conduct initial and additional pretrial conferences and settlement
conferences in civil cases. In conducting such proceedings, the Magistrate Judge shall conform to the
general procedural rules of this Court and the instructions of the assigned District Judge.
(c) Misdemeanor Cases. All misdemeanor cases shall be assigned, upon the filing of an information,
complaint or violation notice, or the return of an indictment, to a full‑time Magistrate Judge, who shall
proceed in accordance with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3401 and Rule 58 of the Federal Rules of
Criminal Procedure.
(d) The full-time Magistrate Judges are hereby granted jurisdiction to authorize the installation and
use of pen registers, and execute orders directing telephone company assistance to the Government
for such installations, upon the request of the United States Attorney.
LOCAL RULES for the SOUTHERN DISTRICT of GEORGIA
Page 34 of 60
Rev. June 2016
