Kennedy v. Jones et al

Filing 3

INTITIAL ORDER FOR PRO SE PRISONER-PLAINTIFFS: 1 Motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis is denied. If plaintiff wishes to proceed with this action, he must pay the $400.00 filing fee within 30 days of this Order. Failure to pay the fee will result in dismissal of this case. Signed by Magistrate Judge Beth Deere on 2/19/2014. (ks)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS
PINE BLUFF DIVISION
JEREMY KENNEDY
ADC #93061
V.

PLAINTIFF
CASE NO. 5:14-CV-0053 KGB/BD

ROBERT JONES, et al.

DEFENDANTS

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 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 either at the beginning of the lawsuit
or, if he cannot afford to pay the entire fee in a lump sum, to apply to proceed in
forma pauperis (“IFP”). You have filed an application to proceed IFP and
submitted all necessary documents. Your motion, however, (docket entry #1) is
DENIED.
Because of your litigation history, you cannot proceed in forma pauperis in federal
court absent an allegation that you are in imminent danger of serious physical
injury. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(g). You allege that your medical needs have been
ignored, but based on your allegations, it appears that you have consistently been
evaluated by the medical staff at every unit where you have been housed.
Although you are not been pleased with the treatment that you have received, you
have not pleaded facts to show you are in imminent danger of serious injury.
If you wish to proceed with this action, you must pay the $400.00 filing fee within
thirty (30) days. Failure to pay the fee will result in dismissal of this case.
Third: Provide Addresses for Service. All defendants must be served with the
complaint and a summons within 120 days of the filing of a complaint. This
includes “John/Jane Doe” defendants. Any defendant who is not served within
120 days can be dismissed, without prejudice, from the lawsuit. It is your
responsibility to identify and serve defendants, including “Doe” defendants. You
may send discovery requests, or use other means, to find valid service addresses
for defendants.
Fourth: 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.
Fifth: 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.

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Sixth: 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.
Seventh: 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 19th day of February, 2014.

___________________________________
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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