Harrell v. Harrell
Filing
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INITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER-PLAINTIFFS. The Clerk of the Court is directed to send Plaintiff an IFP Application and a calculation sheet along with this Order. Signed by Judge Kristine G. Baker on 2/7/2014. (jak)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
JONESBORO DIVISION
CHARLES KENNETH HARRELL
V.
PLAINTIFF
Case No.: 3:14-cv-00029 KGB
NATHAN LEE HARRELL
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 Mississippi County Detention Facility library.
In particular, Local Rule 5.5(c)(2) explains requirements for plaintiffs, like you,
who are not represented by a lawyer:
1.
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.
2.
You must monitor the progress of your case and prosecute the case
diligently.
3.
You must sign all pleadings and other papers filed with the court, and each
paper you file must include your current address.
4.
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
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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.
The Clerk of the Court is directed to send plaintiff an IFP application and a
calculation sheet along with this Order.
IT IS SO ORDERED this 7th day of February, 2014
________________________________
KRISTINE G. BAKER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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