UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA Plaintiff, v. NOTICE AND CONSENT TO A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE CASE NO. Defendant. NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE TO EXERCISE JURISDICTION In accordance with the provisions of Title 28, U.S.C.§636(c), Fed.R.Civ.P.73, and Local Rule 72.1(h) you are hereby notified that a United States Magistrate Judge of this district court is available to conduct any or all proceedings in this case including a jury or nonjury trial, and to order the entry of a final judgment. Exercise of this jurisdiction by a magistrate judge is, however, permitted only if all parties voluntarily consent. Because of the dramatic increase in the number of criminal cases in recent years, the district judges give priority to the criminal docket as required by law. Under these circumstances, your case can experience delay, which can result in cost increases, before it can be tried by the district judge. Congress’ enactment of the Civil Justice Reform Act requires the Court to give increased attention to addressing costs and delays in resolving civil disputes. The Judicial Conference of the United States encourages the designation of magistrate judges to conduct all proceedings in civil cases, both jury and non-jury. Trial before a magistrate judge, in addition to an earlier trial date, will also enable the Court to give counsel and the parties a firm trial setting. Therefore, the parties are encouraged to file a Consent to Jurisdiction by United States Magistrate Judge. You may, without adverse substantive consequences, withhold your consent, but this will prevent the court’s jurisdiction from being exercised by a magistrate judge. If any party withholds consent, the identity of the parties consenting or withholding consent will not be communicated to any magistrate judge or to the district judge to whom the case has been assigned. An appeal from a judgment entered by a magistrate judge shall be taken directly to the United States Court of Appeals for this judicial circuit in the same manner as an appeal from any other judgment of a district court. CONSENT TO THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION BY A UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C.§636(c), Fed.R.Civ.P.73, and Local Rule 72.1(h) the parties in this case hereby voluntarily consent to have a United States Magistrate Judge conduct any and all further proceedings in this case, including trial, entry of a final judgment, and all post-judgment proceedings. Print and Sign List All Parties Represented Date NOTE: RETURN THIS FORM TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT WITHIN 20 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL PRELIMINARY PRETRIAL CONFERENCE. American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkflow.com