Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

28 U.S.C. § 639

Definitions

As used in this chapter—
(1)
“Conference” shall mean the Judicial Conference of the United States;
(2)
“Council” shall mean the Judicial Council of the Circuit;
(3)
“Director” shall mean the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts;
(4)
“Full-time magistrate judge” shall mean a full-time United States magistrate judge;
(5)
“Part-time magistrate judge” shall mean a part-time United States magistrate judge; and
(6)
“United States magistrate judge” and “magistrate judge” shall mean both full-time and part-time United States magistrate judges.

June 25, 1948, ch. 64662 Stat. 917Pub. L. 90–578, title I, § 10182 Stat. 1114Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321104 Stat. 5117(, ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

July 10, 1946, ch. 54860 Stat. 525Based on title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 528a (, ).

section 528a of title 28section 638 of this titleProvisions of , U.S.C., 1940 ed., for furnishing seal is included in .

Changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 90–5781968— substituted definition provisions for prior requirements obligating the Director to furnish docket books and forms to United States commissioners and, with approval of the chief judge of the district court, a copy of the United States Code, declaring such property to remain United States property, and calling for transmission of such property to successors in office or for its disposal as directed by the Director, now incorporated in section 638(a) and (b) of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650section 631 of this titleWords “magistrate judge” and “magistrate judges” substituted for “magistrate” and “magistrates”, respectively, wherever appearing in text pursuant to , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1968 Amendment

Pub. L. 90–578Pub. L. 90–578section 403 of Pub. L. 90–578section 631 of this titleAmendment by effective , except when a later effective date is applicable, which is the earlier of date when implementation of amendment by appointment of magistrates [now United States magistrate judges] and assumption of office takes place or third anniversary of enactment of on , see , set out as a note under .