The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley, at Charleston, West Virginia, is due to expire on April 7, 2021. The United States District court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate to a new eight-year term.

The duties of a magistrate judge in this district include the following:

1. conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases;
2. trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases;
3. conducting various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on referral from the judges of the district court; and
4. conducting trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants.

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

Thomas A. Heywood, Chairman
Bowles Rice LLP
P.O. Box 1386
Charleston, WV 25325

Comments must be received by October 9, 2020.