(a) In every case to which they are assigned, each United States Magistrate Judge appointed by this court is hereby designated to perform the following duties authorized by Title 28 United States Code, Section 636:

 

i.           Conduct scheduling conferences and enter a pretrial schedule;

 

ii.         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 to permit maintenance of a class action; to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which  relief can be granted; or to involuntarily dismiss an action;

 

iii.       Conduct hearings, including evidentiary hearings, and submit to the District Judge assigned to the case, proposed findings of fact and recommendations for the disposition of:

 

(1)   dispositive pretrial motions in criminal cases, including but not limited to motions to dismiss or quash an indictment or information made by a defendant, and motions to suppress evidence;

 

(2)   applications for relief under Title 28 United States Code, Sections 2241 and 2254;

  

(3)   prisoner petitions challenging conditions of confinement; and

 

(4)   motions for summary judgment in Social Security appeals filed pursuant to Title 42 United States Code, Section 405;

                       

iv.       Conduct arraignments in criminal cases;   

 

v.         Conduct settlement conferences in civil cases; and

 

vi.       Conduct trials of persons accused of, and sentence persons convicted of petty offenses, and with the consent of the defendant, other misdemeanors committed within this District, as allowed by Title 18 U.S.C. §3401(a).

                                                                                                           

(b)  Upon specific designation by the District Judge to whom the case is assigned, each United States Magistrate Judge appointed by this Court may perform any of the duties authorized by Title 28 United States Code, Section 636(b). In discharging any such duties the Magistrate Judge shall conform to the Local Rules of this Court and the instructions of the District Judge to whom the case is assigned. 

 

(c)  Consent Jurisdiction

 

i.           Upon the consent of the parties, each full-time United States Magistrate Judge appointed by this Court is specially designated to conduct any or all proceedings in a jury or non-jury civil matter and order the entry of judgment in the case.

 

ii.         The Clerk of Court shall, at the time the action is filed, notify the parties of the availability of a Magistrate Judge to exercise such jurisdiction.   Thereafter, either the District Judge or the Magistrate Judge may again advise the parties of the availability of the Magistrate Judge, but in so doing, shall  advise the parties that they are free to withhold consent without adverse substantive consequences.