Opinion ID: 761718
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: 9 We are first presented with the question of whether the magistrate judge had jurisdiction to take the actions involved, which resulted in a default judgment and imposition of substantial damages. Gray argues that the Calliers waived any right to appeal by not objecting to either the initial referral of the district court judge to the magistrate judge, or to the recommendations of the magistrate judge. We disagree, finding that we do have jurisdiction to consider the Calliers' challenge, but only as to the narrow question of whether the referrals by the district court judge to the magistrate judge were valid. It is axiomatic that we have the right to raise sua sponte a question of jurisdiction which may include the authority of a magistrate judge to act in a specific manner in a particular referral made without consent of the parties. See Massey v. City of Ferndale, 7 F.3d 506, 508 (6th Cir.1993); Bennett v. General Caster Serv. of N. Gordon Co., 976 F.2d 995, 997 (6th Cir.1992) (per curiam). 10 We deem, under the circumstances, however, that the Calliers waived any objection, if they had any right to object, to the actual findings and recommendations on damages of the magistrate judge. The Calliers had an opportunity at several stages to object to the reference to the magistrate judge and to his findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 3 The Calliers simply gave up their opportunities in this regard. Thus, we limit our analysis to the question of whether the initial referrals by the district court judge to the magistrate judge in the two instances were proper, and, thus, whether the magistrate judge had the authority to take the actions belatedly challenged on appeal. We do not address the merits of the findings, conclusions and recommendations made by the magistrate judge in this case.