June 23, 2025
Merit Selection Panel Seeks Comments on the Reappointment of U.S. Magistrate Judge
The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Douglas E. Miller at Norfolk and Newport News, Virginia, is due to expire on January 31, 2026. The United States District Court, as required by law, has established a Merit Selection Panel composed of lawyers and citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.
The duties of a magistrate judge include the following: (1) conduct of most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on delegation from the district judges of the district court; and (4) trial and disposition of civil actions upon consent of the litigants.
Comments from members of the VSB and the public are invited as to whether the Merit Selection Panel should recommend that the incumbent magistrate judge be reappointed. Any comments should be directed to:
Merit Selection Panel
c/o Darius K. Davenport, Esquire
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, PLC
150 West Main Street, Suite 1923
Norfolk, VA 23510
or sent by email to the Merit Selection Panel c/o Darius K. Davenport at [email protected].
Comments must be received by August 4, 2025.