DUTIES OF MAGISTRATE JUDGES

A magistrate judge shall have or may be assigned the following duties and responsibilities: (a) Upon the filing of an information, complaint, or violation notice, or the return of an indictment, all misdemeanor cases shall be assigned to a magistrate judge, who shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3401 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 58; (b) A magistrate judge shall have or may also be assigned the following duties and responsibilities: (1) Accept petit criminal verdicts upon request of a district judge; (2) Accept returns of grand juries upon request of a district judge; Accept guilty pleas in felony cases upon request of a district judge (3) and consent of the defendant. Conduct pretrial/posttrial motions in accordance with 28 U.S.C. § (4) 636(b)(1)(A)(B) and (C); Conduct pretrial conferences in accordance with Fed. R. Crim. P. (5) 17.1; (6) Issue subpoenas, writs of habeas corpus ad testificandum or habeas corpus ad prosequendum or other orders necessary to obtain the presence of parties, witnesses or evidence needed for court proceedings; and Perform any additional duty consistent with the Constitution and laws (7) of the United States. Rule 59.1 29 March 2026