UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE  MIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

PUBLIC NOTICE

The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Karoline Mehalchick in the

Middle District of Pennsylvania is due to expire on July 14, 2021. The United States District

Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the

magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

The duties of a magistrate judge in this court include the following: (1) To exercise all the powers and duties conferred or imposed upon United States Magistrate Judges by law or the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure or the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; (2) To administer oaths and affirmations, impose conditions of release under 18 U.S.C. §3146, and take acknowledgments, affidavits, and depositions; (3) To try persons accused of misdemeanors committed within this district in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §3401, order presentence investigation reports and sentence such persons; (4) To conduct proceedings in accordance with Fed.R.Cr.P. 40; (5) To conduct extradition proceedings, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §3184;

(6) To appoint attorneys under the court’s Criminal Justice Act Plan; (7) To review applications by prisoners for post-trial and other relief, make such orders as are necessary to obtain appropriate information which may be of assistance in determining the merits of any complaint, submit reports and recommendations to the district judge having jurisdiction over the case; (8) To act as a special master when designated by the district court; (9) To receive indictments returned by grand juries; (10) To conduct arraignments to the extent of taking a not guilty plea or noting a defendant’s intention to plead guilty or nolo contendere; and, (11) To conduct trials and the disposition of civil cases on consent of the parties.

Comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the court and should be directed to:

Merit Selection Panel

c/o Clerk, U.S. District Court

Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse

228 Walnut Street

Room 1060

Harrisburg, PA 17101

Comments must be received no later than December 1, 2020.