ASSIGNMENT OF CRIMINAL MATTERS
TO MAGISTRATE JUDGES

(a)  Misdemeanor Cases. All misdemeanor cases shall be assigned, upon the filing of an information or the return of an indictment, to one of the district judges and then delivered to a magistrate judge to conduct the arraignment. All magistrate judges are specifically designated to exercise misdemeanor jurisdiction. If the defendant consents to a trial of the case by a magistrate judge, the magistrate judge shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of 18 U.S.C. § 3401 and Fed. R. Crim. P. 58.

(b)  Felony Cases. Upon the return of an indictment or the filing of an information, all felony cases shall be assigned by the Clerk of Court to one of the district judges and then delivered to a magistrate judge to conduct an arraignment, to appoint counsel when appropriate, and to resolve other preliminary matters pursuant to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, including entry of the procedural order. Upon receipt of a not guilty plea, the magistrate judge shall set the matter for trial before the assigned district judge. If the defendant advises the magistrate judge that he or she wishes to enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, the magistrate judge shall inform the district judge so the matter can be place on the district judge’s calendar.

RELATED AUTHORITY

28 U.S.C. § 636(b)
18 U.S.C. § 3401
Fed. R. Crim. P. 58