(a) Notice.
A United States magistrate judge may conduct some or all proceedings in a
civil action (including a motion or trial) and order the entry of a final judgment if
all parties voluntarily consent. After a case is initially assigned, the parties may,
subject to approval of a district judge, consent to a particular magistrate judge by
designating the name of such magistrate judge in the consent form.
(b) Execution of Consent.
Unless otherwise ordered, the clerk shall not accept a consent form unless it
has been signed by all the parties or their respective counsel in a case. The parties
shall be responsible for securing the execution of a consent form by all parties or
their respective counsel and for filing such form with the clerk. All consents to
trial by a magistrate judge shall be filed as soon as practicable, preferably before
any ruling on a dispositive motion.
(c) Even without consent, a magistrate judge is authorized to:
(1) Exercise general supervision of the civil calendars, conduct
calendar and status calls, and determine motions to expedite or postpone the
trial of cases for the district judge;
(2) Conduct pretrial conferences, settlement conferences, omnibus
hearings, and related pretrial proceedings in civil cases;
(3) Issue subpoenas or other orders necessary to obtain the
presence of parties, witnesses, or evidence needed for court proceedings;
(4) Order the exoneration or forfeiture of bonds;
(5) Conduct proceedings for the collection of civil penalties of not
more than $200.00 assessed under 46 U.S.C. §§ 4311(d) and/or 12309(c);
(6) Conduct examinations of judgment debtors in accordance with
Fed. R. Civ. P. 69;
(7) Conduct naturalization hearings;
(8) Grant motions to dismiss in civil cases when authorized by
statute or rule and when such dismissal is within the jurisdiction of the
magistrate judge;
(9) Conduct extradition proceedings in accordance with 18 U.S.C.
§ 3184; and
(10) Perform any additional duty not inconsistent with the
Constitution and laws of the United States.
