U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 2004

United States v. Mettetal

United States v. Mettetal
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · Decided September 3, 2004 · Michael, Motz, King
108 F. App'x 782

United States v. Mettetal

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

Ray Wallace Mettetal, Jr., appeals a magistrate judge’s order denying his motion for return of property. This court may exercise jurisdiction only over final orders, 28 U.S.C. § 1291 (2000), and certain interlocutory and collateral orders. 28 U.S.C. § 1292 (2000); Fed.R.Civ.P. *783 54(b); Cohen v. Beneficial Indus. Loan Corp., 337 U.S. 541, 69 S.Ct. 1221, 93 L.Ed. 1528 (1949). The magistrate judge’s order is neither a final order nor an appealable interlocutory or collateral order. See Haney v. Addison, 175 F.3d 1217,1219 (10th Cir. 1999) (holding that absent both designation by the district court and consent of the parties, see 28 U.S.C. § 636(c) (2000), a magistrate judge’s recommendation is not a final appealable decision under 28 U.S.C. § 1291); see also Aluminum Co. of Am. v. EPA, 663 F.2d 499, 501-02 (4th Cir. 1981) (holding that, when the district court specifically refers a dispositive matter to the magistrate judge under 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(3) (2000), the district court is required to give the magistrate judge’s order de novo determination). Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

DISMISSED

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