Comment sought on reappointment of Northern District magistrate judge

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is seeking comments from members of the bar and public on whether a Hammond magistrate judge should be reappointed to another eight-year term.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John E. Martin’s current term on the bench is set to expire on Feb. 28, 2021. The Northern District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizen to consider the reappointment of magistrate judges to new eight-year terms.

Duties of a magistrate judge include conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases and various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the judges of the district court. They also handle trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases and civil cases upon consent of the litigants.

Comments on whether Martin should be recommended for reappointment are due June 1.

Comments should be directed to Clerk Robert Trgovich, United States District Court, Northern Indiana, 102 Robert A. Grant Courthouse, 204 South Main St., South Bend, IN 46601.