【www.pindukj.com--涉外文书】
from：http://www.fww114.com/classroom/flyy/
In an effort to help federal district judges deal with increased workloads，Congress in 1968 created a system of magistrate judges that responds to each district courts specific needs an circumstances.Magistrate judges are appointed by the judges ofthe district court for eight-year terms ofoffice，al-though they can be removed before the expiration of the term for “good cause.”Within guidelines set by the Congress，the judges in each district court establish the duties and respon-sibilities oftheir magistrate judges.The legislation permits a magistrate judge，with the consent ofthe involved parties，to conduct all proceedings in a jury or nonjury civil matter and enter a judgment in the case and to conduct a trial ofpersons accused of misde-meanors （less serious offenses than felonies） committed within the dis-trict，provided the defendants consent.Because the decision to delegate re-sponsibilities to a magistrate judge is still made by the district judge，howev-er，a magistrate judges participation in the processing ofcases may be more narrow than that permitted by statute.