Smith et al v. Corcoran et al

Filing 57

ORDER denying 33 Motion to Compel; denying 34 Motion for Hearing; denying 44 Motion to Serve; within 14 days cnsl for defs must clarify if answer at dkt 37 applies to both defs. No action re dkts 40 and 41 until time has run. Signed by Judge Timothy M. Burgess on 4/23/14. (RMC, COURT STAFF)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ALASKA
BILLY DEAN SMITH, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
ROBERT CORCORAN, et al.,
Defendants.

Case No. 1:13-cv-00010-TMB

ORDER REGARDING PENDING MOTIONS
Billy Dean Smith and Jacob Lee Anagick, self-represented prisoners, have
filed the following motions in this case:1 (1) Motion to Compel Attorney Matthias
Cicotte to Answer One Question;2 (2) Motion for Damage Hearing and Finding of
Merit;3 (3) Motion to Serve Defendant Wellard;4 and (4) Application and Motion
for Default Judgment.5
1.

Motion to Compel
When a party wishes to make a formal request for information from the

other party, the party must do so using the discovery mechanisms set out in the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The most commonly used requests are those
found in Rule 30 (depositions by oral examination), Rule 33 (interrogatories to
parties), Rule 34, (production of documents) and Rule 36 (requests for
admission). Only after a party fails to adequately respond to a discovery request,
may the party making the request file a motion asking the court for assistance in

The Court will await responses from the Defendants as to Dockets 46 and 47.
Docket 33; see also Docket 38 (opposition); Docket 48 (reply).
3
Docket 34; see also Docket 39 (opposition); Docket 48 (reply).
4
Docket 44.
5
Dockets 40, 41.
1
2

obtaining the discovery.6 Thus, the Motion to Compel Attorney Matthias Cicotte
to Answer One Question will be denied.
2.

Motion for Damage Hearing and Finding of Merit
In the Motion for Damage Hearing and Finding of Merit, the Plaintiffs jump

the gun. The Defendants oppose the Motion stating, in relevant part, as follows:
The question of § 1915A review is now moot, given the court’s recent
determination that the complaint, liberally construed, “appears to
state a plausible claim of the violation of the Plaintiffs’ Due Process
Rights.” Docket No. 36, n. 9. Of course, the mere fact that the
complaint states a plausible claim for § 1915A purposes does not
entitle plaintiffs to a finding in their favor on the merits and a
damages hearing. Discovery has not yet commenced.7
The Court agrees with the Defendants. This Motion is premature, and
must be denied.

6

Fed.R.Civ.P. 37(a)(1) (“On notice to other parties and all affected persons, a party may
move for an order compelling disclosure or discovery. The motion must include a
certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the
person or party failing to make disclosure or discovery in an effort to obtain it without court
action.”); D.Ak.L.R. 37.1(a) (“Absent exigent circumstance, counsel for the moving party
must confer in person, or if they are not located in the same city then by telephone, with
counsel for the party against whom relief is sought in an effort to resolve any discovery
dispute before filing a motion to compel discovery or for sanctions under Rule 37, Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure. If such a motion is filed, it must:
(1) have attached a Good Faith Certificate (Form 37.1); or
(2) include in the first paragraph a statement as to the reason that a Good Faith Certificate
cannot be attached, including the efforts made to arrange a conference.”).
7
Docket 39 at 2.
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Order Regarding Motions
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3.

Motion to Serve Defendant Wellard
The Plaintiffs have shown that, when they sent the summons and

complaint to Robert Corcoran at Lemon Creek Correctional Center (LCCC) by
restricted delivery mail, the return receipt was signed on November 18, 2013.8
The same person who signed for Corcoran’s summons and complaint at LCCC
also signed for the summons and complaint directed to Defendant Wellard.9
In the Opposition to Motion to Remand to State Court, counsel for the
Defendants states as follows: “Counsel has already entered appearance for both
defendants, so there will be no effort to dismiss this case for improper service.”10
Based upon the representation of counsel, therefore, both Corcoran and Wellard
were properly served, and the Motion to Serve Wellard will be denied as moot.

Docket 6-1.
Docket 6-2.
10
Docket 10 at 3.
8
9

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Order Regarding Motions
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4.

Application and Motion for Default Judgment
Although the Plaintiffs were told to “require an answer immediately or apply

for default within 21 days from the date of this minute order,”11 they waited until
an Answer had been filed to move for default.12 Counsel for the Defendants,
however, should clarify whether the Answer can apply to both of the Defendants.
The Court will address the Application and Motion for Default Judgment
thereafter.13
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED:
1.

The Motion to Compel, at Docket 33, is DENIED.

2.

The Motion for Damage Hearing and Finding of Merit, at Docket 34, is
DENIED.

3.

The Motion to Serve Wellard, at Docket 44, is DENIED as moot.

4.

Within 14 days of the date of this Order, counsel for the Defendants must
clarify whether the Answer at Docket 37 applies to both Defendants

Docket 23 (2/19/14 Minute Order); see also Docket 29 at 2 (3/19/14 Order: “You must
require an answer immediately, or apply for default,4 within 21 days from the date of
this minute order. Otherwise, this case will be dismissed for failure to prosecute under
Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.”); Docket 36 at 3 (3/28/14 Order:
“Now the Plaintiffs must either request an answer from the Defendants or apply for entry
of default as described in that minute order. Any prior application for default filed in the
state court,8 does not suffice.”).
12
Dockets 37, 40, 41.
13
See Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-72 (9th Cir. 1986) (“Factors which may be
considered by courts in exercising discretion as to the entry of a default judgment
include: (1) the possibility of prejudice to the plaintiff, (2) the merits of plaintiff's
substantive claim, (3) the sufficiency of the complaint, (4) the sum of money at stake in
11

the action; (5) the possibility of a dispute concerning material
whether the default was due to excusable neglect, and (7) the strong policy underlying
the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits.”) (citation
omitted) (emphasis added).
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Order Regarding Motions
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facts; (6)

Corcoran and Wellard, or file a separate or Amended Answer. No action
will be taken on Dockets 40 and 41 until the time for this filing has run.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska this 23rd day of April, 2014.
S/TIMOTHY M. BURGESS
United States District Judge

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Order Regarding Motions
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