Powers and Duties of Magistrate Judges in

Cases Beyond Their Jurisdiction. (a) A magistrate judge may accept for filing a civil or criminal case beyond a magistrate judge’s jurisdiction but within the jurisdiction of a district court judge. Such cases will be tried by a superior or district court judge on periodic visits to the area. (b) A magistrate judge shall immediately notify the presiding judge in writing as soon as any case beyond magistrate issue. Such notification shall contain a brief description of the case, whether jury or non-jury, and an estimate of the length of time required for trial. jurisdiction becomes at judge (c) If in the course of any preliminary proceedings connected with a case, or during the trial, or after judgment, a magistrate judge determines that he or she is for any reason unqualified to proceed further, he or she shall, without prejudicing the rights of the parties, postpone the proceedings and proceed under (a) and (b) of this rule as if the case were one beyond his or her jurisdiction. (Adopted by SCO 412 effective July 1, 1980; amended by SCO 1829 effective October 15, 2014)