The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Susan L. Collins at Fort Wayne is due to expire January 15, 2023. 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. 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 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:

Gary T. Bell, Clerk
United States District Court, Northern Indiana
102 Robert A. Grant Courthouse
204 South Main Street
South Bend, IN 46601

Comments must be received by April 22, 2022.

Press Release: Reappointment of Incumbent Magistrate Judge