United States Magistrates Act

The United States Magistrates Act of 1968 established a system of Magistrate Judges who assist Article III District Judges in managing their caseloads. These Magistrates handle preliminary matters like issuing warrants, setting bail, and conducting certain hearings, as well as presiding over civil and criminal cases with the parties' consent. The Act aims to improve judicial efficiency by delegating routine and less complex tasks, allowing District Judges to focus on more significant cases. Magistrates operate under the supervision of District Judges but possess judicial authority within their designated jurisdictions.