Elliott v. Osceola Arkansas, City of

Filing 3

ORDER encouraging Plaintiff to familiarize himself with the rules and procedures of the U.S. District Court as well as those outlined within this Order. Signed by Judge D. P. Marshall Jr. on 12/13/2013. (jak)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
PLAINTIFF

GLAND ELLIOT

v.

No. 3:13-cv-251-DPM

CITY OF OSCEOLA, ARKANSAS
and CHRISTOPHER ELLIS

DEFENDANTS

ORDER
Elliot has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the
help of a lawyer. There are the rules and procedures that prose plaintiffs must
follow in order to proceed with their lawsuits. The Court encourages Elliot
to familiarize himself with the rules outlined below.

1. Follow All Court Rules. A pro se plaintiff must comply with the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, as well as Local Rules for the Eastern
District of Arkansas. A copy of these rules can be found in the jail library. In
particular, Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) explains requirements for plaintiffs who are
not represented by a lawyer:

•

You must promptly notify the Clerk and the other parties in the
case of any change in address. You must inform the Court if you
are transferred from one unit to another. Notifying the Court of
your change in address is especially important if you are released
from custody while your lawsuit is pending. If you do not keep
the Court informed of your current address, your lawsuit can be
dismissed.

•

You must monitor the progress of your case and prosecute the
case diligently.

•

You must sign all pleadings and other papers filed with the
Court, and each paper you file must include your current address.

•

If a pro se plaintiff does not respond to a communication from the

Court within thirty days, the case may be dismissed without
prejudice.

2. No Right to Appointed Counsel. This is a civil case. Unlike criminal

cases, there is no right to have an appointed lawyer in a civil case. If this case
proceeds to a jury trial, however, a lawyer will be appointed to assist you
before trial.

3.

Do Not File Discovery Requests with the Court.

Discovery

requests, such as interrogatories and requests for documents, should not be
filed with the Court. Instead, discovery requests should be sent to counsel for

-2-

the defendant (or directly to the defendant if he or she is not represented by
a lawyer). No discovery should be sent to a defendant until that defendant
has been served with the complaint.

4. Do Not Send Documents to the Court Except in Two Situations.

You may send documents or other evidence to the Court only if it is attached
to a motion for summary judgment or in response to a motion for summary
judgment, or if the Court orders you to send documents or other evidence.

5. Provide a Witness List. If your case is set for trial, as your trial date

approaches, you will be asked to provide a witness list. After reviewing the
witness list, the Court will subpoena the necessary witnesses.

So Ordered.

-3-