Full Public Notice for Reappointment of an Incumbent Magistrate Judge The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge W. Carleton Metcalf in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina is due to expire on October 31, 2026. The United States District Court 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 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 for reappointment by the court. All comments are to be emailed to Katie_Simon@ncwd.uscourts.gov. All comments must be received by February 18, 2026. IPL0305830 Jan 25 2026