Potential Benefits of Federal Magistrates System Can Be Better Realized

Testimony was given concerning a GAO report on the potential for improving the Federal magistrates system. GAO found that magistrates have become an integral part of the Federal judicial system and have helped to reduce the workload of Federal judges. However, additional actions could be taken to better utilize magistrates. GAO found that the use of magistrates has evolved differently in individual districts, and their duties and roles vary among and within the districts. GAO concluded that the system could have a greater impact on reducing the workload of district court judges if: (1) more information on the use of magistrates were disseminated among the district courts; (2) districts better planned for the use of magistrates; and (3) district courts understood the criteria for approving additional magistrate positions. GAO found that differing interpretations and applications of the Magistrates Act provisions have led to inconsistent implementation of the civil trial provisions. Therefore, GAO believes that the act needs to be amended to clearly state that the designation of a magistrate does not affect a judge's jurisdictional control over a case handled by a magistrate. In addition, GAO believes that consistent use of followup procedures could encourage a greater number of litigants to consent to having magistrates hear their cases. Two recent court of appeals opinions have affected the use of magistrates by district courts. One circuit concluded that magistrates could not enter civil judgments even with the consent of litigants. Another circuit recently held that the authorization that allows a magistrate, on consent of parties, to conduct trials and enter judgments in civil cases does not violate Article III of the Constitution.