UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA

FORT WAYNE DIVISION

Tyquan Stewart, et al.

Plaintiff,

v. Civil Action No.: 1:16−cv−00138−JTM−SLC

Senior Judge James T Moody

Parkview Behavior Hospital, et al.

Defendant.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE TO EXERCISE

JURISDICTION

 In accordance with the provisions of Title 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, and Local Rule 72−1, a

United States Magistrate Judge of this district court is available to conduct any or all proceedings in this case

including a jury or nonjury trial, and to order the entry of a final judgment. Exercise of this jurisdiction by a

magistrate judge is, however, permitted only if all parties voluntarily consent.

 Because of the dramatic increase in the number of criminal cases in recent years, the district judges give

priority to the criminal docket as required by law. Under these circumstances, your case can experience delay,

which can result in cost increases, before it can be tried by the district judge. Congress' enactment of the Civil

Justice Reform Act requires the Court to give increased attention to addressing costs and delays in resolving

civil disputes. The Judicial Conference of the United States encourages the designation of magistrate judges to

conduct all proceedings in civil cases, both jury and non−jury. Consent to a magistrate judge will ensure an

earlier and firm trial date. Therefore, the parties are encouraged to consent to Jurisdiction by United States

Magistrate Judge by filling out the form set forth below.

 You may, without adverse substantive consequences, withhold your consent, but this will prevent the

court's jurisdiction from being exercised by a magistrate judge. If any party withholds consent, the identity of

the parties consenting or withholding consent will not be communicated to any magistrate judge or to the

district judge to whom the case has been assigned.

 An appeal from a judgment entered by a magistrate judge shall be taken directly to the United States Court

of Appeals for this judicial circuit in the same manner as an appeal from any other judgment of a district court.

CONSENT TO THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION BY A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE

JUDGE

 In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), Fed. R. Civ. P. 73, and Local Rule 72−1, the

parties in this case hereby voluntarily consent to have a United States Magistrate Judge conduct all further

proceedings in this case, including trial, entry of a final judgment, and all post−judgment proceedings. Should

this case be reassigned from one magistrate judge to another due to caseload considerations, recusal,

retirement or any other reason, the undersigned may object within 30 days of such reassignment.

Print and Sign List all Parties Represented Date

NOTE: RETURN THIS FORM VIA EMAIL TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT AT THE APPROPRIATE

EMAIL ADDRESS SHOWN BELOW WITHIN 21 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL PRELIMINARY

PRETRIAL CONFERENCE.

Fort Wayne: FWClerks@innd.uscourts.gov

Hammond: HMDClerks@innd.uscourts.gov

South Bend: SBClerks@innd.uscourts.gov

Lafayette: LafClerks@innd.uscourts.gov

To return this form via U.S. Mail, please refer to http://www.innd.uscourts.gov for mailing addresses.