USA v. Riley

Filing 6

ORDER referring 5 MOTION for Default Judgment against Greg E Riley Motion for Entry of Default and Default Judgment filed by USA to Clerk's Office for consideration of entry of a clerk's default. Signed by Judge James M. Moody on 5/26/09. (bkp)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS WESTERN DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA vs. GREG E. RILEY ORDER The Government's Motion for Default Judgment is before the Court. The Court will treat the motion as a Motion for a Clerk's Default pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). Fed. R. Civ. P. 55 contemplates a two step process for the entry of default judgments. First, pursuant to Rule 55(a), the party seeking a default judgment must have the Clerk enter the default by submitting the required proof that the opposing party has failed to plead or otherwise defend. Second, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 55(b), the moving party may seek entry of judgment on the default under either subdivision (b)(1) or (b)(2) of the rule. See Dahl v. Kanawha Inv. Holding Co., 161 F.R.D. 673, 683 (N.D.Iowa 1995). "Entry of default under Rule 55(a) must precede grant of a default judgment under Rule 55(b)." See Johnson v. Dayton Elec. Mfg. Co., 140 F.3d 781, 783 (8th Cir.1998); see also Hagen v. Sisseton-Wahpeton Community College, 205 F.3d 1040, 1042 (8th Cir.2000) (citing Johnson for this requirement). In this case, there has been no entry of default. Thus, the Government's motion will be treated as a motion for entry of a clerk's default. In the event a clerk's default is entered, Plaintiff will have to seek a default judgment as provided for in Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b). IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED THAT Plaintiff's Motion for Default Judgment (# 5), be, and it is hereby, referred to the Clerk of the Court for consideration of entry of a clerk's CASE NO. 4:09-CV-00079 JMM DEFENDANT PLAINTIFF default. IT IS SO ORDERED this 26th day of May, 2009. _______________________________ James M. Moody United States District Judge

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