THE ROBING ROOM

Magistrates have 3 functions: (1) settle cases; (2) referee discovery disputes; and (3) decide bail issues. Mason is capable of doing 1 of 3. That he is a former public defender tells you which of the 3 functions he can handle. Unless it's a routine discovery dispute, don't bother going to him. When he get's confused, he lets his law clerk make comments in open court (a la Lindberg). He is entirely useless at settlement conferences because he doesn't have even the most rudimentary understanding of many aspects of civil litigation. 20+ years as a criminal defense lawyer doesn't prepare you for a job that is 90% civil litigation.