Tustin Man Named Full-Time U.S. Magistrate for the County

Tustin attorney Ronald W. Rose has been appointed to serve as Orange County’s first full-time federal magistrate.

Rose, who was sworn in earlier this week, has served as a part-time magistrate since 1979. A magistrate presides over the initial steps in a federal court proceeding, including handling arraignments and setting bail, among other duties.

Increasing Workload

An increasing Orange County workload and plans to establish a branch of the federal court in Santa Ana prompted Rose’s appointment, according to Christine Harwell, a staff attorney for the U.S. magistrate’s office in Los Angeles. Rose will handle cases in Santa Ana and Los Angeles, Harwell said Friday.

Rose becomes the eighth full-time U.S. magistrate for the Central District of California. The position, with an annual salary of $66,100, was approved in September, 1984, at the U.S. Judicial Conference.

Rose, 39, has been in private practice, specializing in civil litigation. From 1972 to 1978, he served as assistant U.S. attorney in charge for the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime and Racketeering Section in Los Angeles. He received his law degree in 1972 from the University of California Hastings College of Law. Rose was hearing matters at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Friday and was unavailable for comment.

Plans to build a branch of the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana have been delayed because of funding problems, but Orange County congressional representatives are working with the General Services Agency to find a solution.