The current term of the office of United States Magistrate Judge Russell A. Eliason is due to expire on June 30, 2008. 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 term of office. The duties and responsibilities of a magistrate judge in this court include: (1) conduct of most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the judges of the district court; and (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants. Comments from members of the bar and public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for the reappointment by the court and should be directed to:

Chairman, Merit Selection Panel
c/o Clerk of Court
United States District Court, MDNC
PO Box 2708
Greensboro, NC 27402