The current term of the office of United States Magistrate Patricia L. Cohen expires on January 3, 2024. The United States District Court is required to appoint a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

The duties of the magistrate judge include the following: (1) to conduct preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) to try misdemeanor cases; (3) to conduct various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the district judges; (4) to try civil cases with the consent of the litigants; and (5) by reference, to handle social security cases and habeas corpus petitions.

Comments from the Bar and the public on whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for the reappointment by the district court should be in writing and sent to:

Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel
c/o U.S. District Court
Attn: Lori Miller Young
111 South Tenth Street
Room 3.300
St. Louis, MO 63102

Comments must be received no later than May 4, 2023.

Stephen R. Clark
Chief Judge
United States District Court
Eastern District of Missouri