Week 2
1. Do you feel that allowing District Judges to select magistrate judges is a better process than allowing these judicial officers to be appointed by the President?
Explain what benefits you see to such system, or if you disagree explain why a presidential appointment should be the norm.
2. What safeguards did Congress provide in the law creating magistrate judgeships so that ultimately Article III judges and not magistrate judges are responsible for the overall criminal process?
3. Would it be a violation of Article III of the Constitution if Congress allowed magistrate judges to perform district judge duties such as sentencing? Why or why not?
4. If you were a magistrate judge, what would you consider your most important duties and role in the criminal system?
