United States Magistrate Judge Patricia D. Barksdale’s term expires on October 31. As required by law, the Middle District of Florida has established a merit selection panel to consider the re-appointment of Judge Barksdale to an eight-year term in Jacksonville.

The duties of a U.S. magistrate judge, specified in 28 U.S.C. § 636, include conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, trying misdemeanor cases, conducting pre-trial matters and evidentiary proceedings after delegation from a district judge, and trying civil cases with the consent of the litigants.

No later than Monday, March 15, an interested person can submit to the following address, or by e-mail to Submissions@flmd.uscourts.gov, a comment