The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Christopher L. Ray in Savannah, Georgia is due to expire on January 3, 2027. The United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

The duties of a magistrate judge in this court include the following: (1) conduct most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from a district judge; and (4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants.

Comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the court and should be directed to John Triplett, Clerk of Court, @ Public_Comment_MagistrateJudge@gas.uscourts.gov.

Comments must be received by June 30, 2026.

Click this link to review the full notice.