Opinion ID: 516467
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: magistrate conducting voir dire

Text: 19 Voir dire was conducted by the magistrate in this case on August 31, 1987, in conformity with a local rule permitting such practice: 20 Rule 1.6.3 Voir Dire: Unless otherwise ordered, voir dire examinations shall be conducted by a judge or a magistrate. Counsel may submit written questions to the court prior to voir dire examination, or at its conclusion, with the approval of the court, may submit oral questions to the prospective jurors. See FRCP 47; FRCrP 24. 21 The Magistrates Act of 1968, 2 and particularly section 636(b) of the Act, defining the scope of magistrates' power, has gone through a series of changes and constitutional challenges in the years since adoption. See, e.g., U.S. v. Raddatz, 447 U.S. 667, 100 S.Ct. 2406, 65 L.Ed.2d 424 (1980); Mathews v. Weber, 423 U.S. 261, 96 S.Ct. 549, 46 L.Ed.2d 483 (1976); Wingo v. Wedding, 418 U.S. 461, 94 S.Ct. 2842, 41 L.Ed.2d 879 (1974). In the Act's present language, section 636(b) provides: 22 (1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary-- 23 (A) a judge may designate a magistrate 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's order is clearly erroneous or contrary to law. 24 (B) a judge may also designate a magistrate 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 posttrial relief made by individuals convicted of criminal offenses and of prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement. 25 (C) the magistrate shall file his proposed findings and recommendations under subparagraph (B) with the court and a copy shall forthwith be mailed to all parties. 26 Within ten days after being served with a copy, any party may serve and file written objections to such proposed findings and recommendations as provided by rules of court. A judge of the court shall make a de novo determination of those portions of the report or specified proposed findings or recommendations to which objection is made. A judge of the court may accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations made by the magistrate. The judge may also receive further evidence or recommit the matter to the magistrate with instructions. 27