Job Details for U.S. Magistrate Judge

The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of a full-time U.S. magistrate judge for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma. The courts provide fair and impartial justice within the jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution and Congress. Public trust and confidence are enhanced when the Judiciary’s workforce is highly competent and dedicated to the cause of justice. The judiciary can and should strive to recruit and retain the best and the brightest from all backgrounds and life experiences.

The duties of the position are demanding and wide-ranging:

1. Conduct most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases including initial appearances, detention, and preliminary hearings, and change of plea hearings;
2. Issue search and seizure warrants;
3. Conduct trials and sentencing hearings in misdemeanor cases;
4. Preside over civil matters upon referral from a U.S. District Judge, including prisoner civil rights cases, federal habeas corpus petitions, a high volume of Social Security appeals, and other civil matters such as discovery disputes;
5. Conduct settlement conferences; and,
6. Preside over civil cases upon consent of the parties, including jury trial and entry of final judgment.