Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00489/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00489-5/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

The United States District Judges for the Fresno Division of the Eastern District of California 

carry the heaviest caseloads in the nation and who must prioritize criminal and older civil cases over 

more recently filed civil cases. Consequently, the Fresno Division, whenever possible, is utilizing 

United States Article III District Court Judges from throughout the nation as Visiting Judges. Pursuant 

to the Local Rules, Appendix A, such reassignments will be random, and the parties will receive no 

advance notice before their case is reassigned to an Article III District Court Judge from outside of the 

Eastern District of California. 

In addition, the availability of United States Magistrate Judges is far more realistic and 

accommodating to parties than that of the District Judges. A Magistrate Judge may conduct trials, 

including entry of final judgment, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 73, 

and Local Rule 305. Any appeal from a judgment entered by a Magistrate Judge is taken directly to 

the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit. 

JOEY FITCH,

 Plaintiff,

v.

JOSEPH GALLAND, et al.,

Defendants.

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Case No.: 1:16-cv-00489 - DAD - JLT

ORDER DIRECTING DEFENDANTS TO 

CONSIDER MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

JURISDICTION

Case 1:16-cv-00489-JLT Document 30 Filed 11/17/16 Page 1 of 2
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Plaintiff previously indicated her willingness to consent to the jurisdiction of the assigned 

Magistrate Judge. (Doc. 7) Therefore, Defendants are directed to consider whether they will consent 

for the Magistrate Judge to conduct all further proceedings, including trial. Within 10 days of the 

date of this order, counsel SHALL file a consent/decline form (provided by the Court at the inception 

of this case) indicating whether they will consent to the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Judge.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 17, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00489-JLT Document 30 Filed 11/17/16 Page 2 of 2