§ 632. — Character of service.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 28USC632]
TITLE 28--JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
PART III--COURT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
CHAPTER 43--UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGES
Sec. 632. Character of service
(a) Full-time United States magistrate judges may not engage in the
practice of law, and may not engage in any other business, occupation,
or employment inconsistent with the expeditious, proper, and impartial
performance of their duties as judicial officers.
(b) Part-time United States magistrate judges shall render such
service as judicial officers as is required by law. While so serving
they may engage in the practice of law, but may not serve as counsel in
any criminal action in any court of the United States, nor act in any
capacity that is, under such regulations as the conference may
establish, inconsistent with the proper discharge of their office.
Within such restrictions, they may engage in any other business,
occupation, or employment which is not inconsistent with the
expeditious, proper, and impartial performance of their duties as
judicial officers.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 916; Pub. L. 90-578, title I,
Sec. 101, Oct. 17, 1968, 82 Stat. 1110; Pub. L. 101-650, title III,
Sec. 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5117.)
Amendments
1968--Pub. L. 90-578 substituted provisions as to character of
service of full-time and part-time United States magistrates for former
provisions prescribing jurisdiction and powers of national park
commissioners and practice and procedure before such officers. See
section 636 of this title.
Change of Name
``United States magistrate judges'' substituted for ``United States
magistrates'' wherever appearing in text pursuant to section 321 of Pub.
L. 101-650, set out as a note under section 631 of this title.
Effective Date of 1968 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 90-578 effective Oct. 17, 1968, 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 Pub. L. 90-578 on Oct. 17, 1968, see section
403 of Pub. L. 90-578, set out as a note under section 631 of this
title.
