Free Consent To Trial Before a U.S. Magistrate Judge - District of Columbia

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Nancy M. Mayer-Whittington Clerk

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO CONSENT TO TRIAL BEFORE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE The substantial criminal caseload in this Court and the requirements of the criminal Speedy Trial Act frequently result in a delay in the trial of civil cases. Aware of the hardship and expense to the parties, counsel, and witnesses caused by the delays which are beyond the control of the Court, this notice is to advise you of your right to a trial of your case by a United States Magistrate Judge. By statute, 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed.R.Civ.P.73 and Local Rule 502, the parties, by consent, can try their case by means of a jury trial or bench trial before a United States Magistrate Judge. Appeals from judgments and final orders are taken directly to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in the same manner as an appeal from a judgment of a District Judge in a civil case. WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE? One of the matters you are required to discuss at the meet-and-confer conference mandated by Local Rule 206 is whether the case should be assigned to a United States Magistrate Judge for all purposes, including trial. All parties must consent before the case is assigned to a Magistrate Judge for trial. You may consent at any time prior to trial. If you expressly decline to consent or simply fail to consent early in the case, you are not foreclosed from consenting later in the case. However, a prompt election to proceed before a Magistrate Judge is encouraged because it will facilitate a more orderly scheduling of the case. Attached is a copy of the "Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge for All Purposes" form. Your response should be made to the Clerk of the United States District Court only. WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE? The case will be resolved sooner and less expensively. The earlier the parties consent to assigning the case to a Magistrate Judge the earlier a firm and certain trial date can be established, even if the case is to be tried to a jury. Upon the filing of the consent form and with the approval of the District Judge, the case will be assigned for all purposes to a Magistrate Judge.

CO-942A Rev 3/95 Rev 7/99