Childs v. Bono Arkansas, City of
Filing
2
INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER PLAINTIFFS informing Plaintiff of the responsibility to comply with all Court Rules as well as those contained in this Order. Signed by Judge J. Leon Holmes on 1/7/2014. (jak)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
LARRY DONEL CHILDS, JR.
v.
PLAINTIFF
NO. 3:13CV00276 JLH
CITY OF BONO, ARKANSAS
DEFENDANT
INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER-PLAINTIFFS
You have filed this federal civil rights lawsuit pro se, that is, without the help of a
lawyer. There are rules and procedures that you must follow in order to proceed with your
lawsuit, even though you are not a lawyer.
First: Follow All Court Rules. You must comply with the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure as well as Local Rules for the Eastern District of Arkansas. Copies of rules
can be found in the prison or jail library.
In particular, Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) explains requirements for plaintiffs, like you, who
are not represented by a lawyer:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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 as to 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 any communication from the Court to a pro se plaintiff is not responded to
within thirty (30) days, the case may be dismissed, without prejudice.
Second: Pay the Filing Fee. Every civil case filed by a prisoner – including this one
– requires the plaintiff to pay a filing fee. A $400 filing fee must be paid at the
beginning of the lawsuit unless the plaintiff cannot afford to pay the entire fee at
once. If you cannot afford to pay the filing fee in a lump sum, you may file an
application to proceed in forma pauperis (“IFP”). If you are granted IFP status, the
filing fee is $350.
Although you have filed a complaint, you have neither paid the filing fee nor applied
to proceed IFP. You must do one or the other within 30 days of this order. Enclosed
you will find an IFP application, along with a calculation sheet that must be filled out
and signed by the custodian of the jail where you are currently being held. If you are
granted IFP status, withdrawals will be made from your jail account each month until
the $350.00 is fully paid, even if the lawsuit is dismissed before trial.
Third: 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 your case proceeds to
a jury trial, however, a lawyer will be appointed to assist you before trial.
Fourth: Do Not File Your Discovery Requests. Discovery requests, such as
interrogatories and requests for documents, are not to be filed with the court. Instead,
discovery requests should be sent to counsel for 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 after that defendant has been served with the complaint.
Fifth: Do Not Send Documents to Court Except in Two Situations. You may send
documents or other evidence to the Court only if 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.
Sixth: 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 necessary witnesses.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 7th day of January, 2014.
_______________________________
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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