Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00522/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-00522-6/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Audrey King
Respondent
Sammy L. Page
Petitioner

Document Text:

1

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

In his current motion for reconsideration of the order denying his motion to appoint counsel

(Doc. 54), Petitioner claims the Magistrate Judge lacks the jurisdiction and authority to deny his 

request for appointed counsel. Petitioner is mistaken and the motion for reconsideration is DENIED.

I. DISCUSSION

The powers of the U.S. Magistrate Judge are set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 636, which provides in 

pertinent part as follows:

(a) Each United States magistrate judge serving under this chapter shall have within the district 

in which sessions are held by the court that appointed the magistrate judge, at other places 

where that court may function, and elsewhere as authorized by law—

(1) all powers and duties conferred or imposed upon United States commissioners by law or by 

the Rules of Criminal Procedure for the United States District Courts;

(2) the power to administer oaths and affirmations, issue orders pursuant to section 3142 of 

title 18 concerning release or detention of persons pending trial, and take 

acknowledgements, affidavits, and depositions;

SAMMY L. PAGE,

 Petitioner,

v.

AUDREY KING,

Respondents.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Case No.: 1:16-cv-00522-JLT

ORDER DENYING PETITIONER‟S MOTION 

FOR RECONSIDERATION

(Doc. 54)

Case 1:16-cv-00522-AWI-JLT Document 58 Filed 05/23/16 Page 1 of 3
2

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

(3) the power to conduct trials under section 3401, title 18, United States Code, in conformity 

with and subject to the limitations of that section;

(4) the power to enter a sentence for a petty offense; and

(5) the power to enter a sentence for a class A misdemeanor in a case in which the parties have 

consented.

(b)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary—

(A) a judge may designate a magistrate judge to hear and determine any pretrial matter pending 

before the court, except a motion for injunctive relief, for judgment on the pleadings, for 

summary judgment, to dismiss or quash an indictment or information made by the 

defendant, to suppress evidence in a criminal case, to dismiss or to permit maintenance of a 

class action, to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and to 

involuntarily dismiss an action. A judge of the court may reconsider any pretrial matter 

under this subparagraph (A) where it has been shown that the magistrate judge's order is 

clearly erroneous or contrary to law.

(B) a judge may also designate a magistrate judge to conduct hearings, including evidentiary 

hearings, and to submit to a judge of the court proposed findings of fact and 

recommendations for the disposition, by a judge of the court, of any motion excepted in 

subparagraph (A), of applications for posttrial1 relief made by individuals convicted of 

criminal offenses and of prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement.

(2) A judge may designate a magistrate judge to serve as a special master pursuant to the 

applicable provisions of this title and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the United States 

district courts. A judge may designate a magistrate judge to serve as a special master in any 

civil case, upon consent of the parties, without regard to the provisions of rule 53(b) of the 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the United States district courts.

(3) A magistrate judge may be assigned such additional duties as are not inconsistent with the 

Constitution and laws of the United States.

(4) Each district court shall establish rules pursuant to which the magistrate judges shall 

discharge their duties.

(Emphasis supplied).

As readily seen from subpart (b)(1)(A), the Magistrate Judge is authorized to rule on a wide 

variety of pre-trial matters, except for those that would necessarily result in a termination or dismissal 

of the matter, e.g., motions to dismiss, injunctive relief, summary judgment. Moreover, pursuant to 

subpart (b)(4), this Court has promulgated Local Rules relating to the specific powers of a Magistrate 

Judge. Local Rule 300(b)(2) provides that “general pretrial matters” shall be defined as “all pretrial 

matters as to which the standard of review is the „clearly erroneous or contrary to law‟ standard set 

forth in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(A).” Cf. Local Rule 303(f)(authorizing Magistrate Judge‟s to hear 

pretrial matters that are based upon the “clearly erroneous or contrary to law” standard of review). 

Case 1:16-cv-00522-AWI-JLT Document 58 Filed 05/23/16 Page 2 of 3
3

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Appointment of counsel falls within this standard of review and, historically, in this district such 

matters fall squarely within the specified purview of Magistrate Judges. This is so regardless of 

whether or not the parties have consented to the Magistrate Judge‟s jurisdiction. Under Petitioner‟s 

logic, absent consent, a Magistrate Judge could not handle any pretrial matters, a result that is entirely 

contrary to the purpose and plain meaning of both § 636 and this Court‟s Local Rules.

ORDER

For the foregoing reasons, the Court ORDERS that Petitioner‟s motion for reconsideration of 

the Court‟s denial of his motion for appointment of counsel (Doc. 54) is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 20, 2016 /s/ Jennifer L. Thurston 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-00522-AWI-JLT Document 58 Filed 05/23/16 Page 3 of 3