Bryan E Ransom v. Johnson, Et Al.

Filing 193

ORDER to SHOW CAUSE within thirty days why defendant J. Gonzalez should not be dismissed for failure to provide information sufficient to effect service signed by Judge Oliver W. Wanger on 04/13/2009. Show Cause Response due by 5/18/2009. (Flores, E)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 8 9 CLAUDELL EARL MARTIN, 10 11 v. Plaintiff, CASE NO. 1:08-cv-00415-LJO DLB PC ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFF TO SHOW CAUSE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS WHY DEFENDANT J. GONZALES SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED FOR FAILURE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION SUFFICIENT TO EFFECT SERVICE (Doc. 22) 14 / 15 16 Plaintiff Claudell Earl Martin ("Plaintiff") is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

12 JEANNE S. WOODFORD, et al., 13 Defendants.

17 pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action is proceeding on 18 Plaintiff's complaint, filed on March 21, 2008. (Doc. 1.) On February 3, 2009, the Court issued an 19 order directing the United States Marshal to initiate service of process on eight defendants. (Doc. 20 17.) The Marshal was unable to locate and serve Defendant J. Gonzales and on April 2, 2009, the 21 Marshal returned the USM-285 form to the Court. (Doc. 22.) 22 23 24 25 Pursuant to Rule 4(m), If a defendant is not served within 120 days after the complaint is filed, the court on motion or on its own after notice to the plaintiff - must dismiss the action without prejudice against that defendant or order that service be made within a specified time. But if the plaintiff shows good cause for the failure, the court must extend the time for service for an appropriate period.

26 Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m). 27 In cases involving a plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis, the Marshal, upon order of the

28 Court, shall serve the summons and the complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(c)(2). "`[A]n incarcerated pro 1

1 se plaintiff proceeding in forma pauperis is entitled to rely on the U.S. Marshal for service of the 2 summons and complaint and ... should not be penalized by having his action dismissed for failure 3 to effect service where the U.S. Marshal or the court clerk has failed to perform his duties.'" Walker 4 v. Sumner, 14 F.3d 1415, 1422 (9th Cir. 1994) (quoting Puett v. Blandford, 912 F.2d 270, 275 (9th 5 Cir. 1990)), abrogated on other grounds by Sandin v. Connor, 515 U.S. 472 (1995). "So long as the 6 prisoner has furnished the information necessary to identify the defendant, the marshal's failure to 7 effect service is `automatically good cause . . . .'" Walker, 14 F.3d at 1422 (quoting Sellers v. United 8 States, 902 F.2d 598, 603 (7th Cir.1990)). However, where a pro se plaintiff fails to provide the 9 Marshal with accurate and sufficient information to effect service of the summons and complaint, 10 the Court's sua sponte dismissal of the unserved defendants is appropriate. Walker, 14 F.3d at 142111 22. 12 In this instance, the address provided by Plaintiff for Defendant J. Gonzales is no longer

13 accurate, as Defendant J. Gonzales is no longer employed at the facility. (Doc. 22.) If Plaintiff is 14 unable to provide the Marshal with current address at which Defendant J. Gonzales can be located, 15 the defendant shall be dismissed from the action, without prejudice. Pursuant to Rule 4(m), the 16 Court will provide Plaintiff with the opportunity to show cause why Defendant J. Gonzales should 17 not be dismissed from the action at this time. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 d274kd 25 26 27 28 2 2. Accordingly, based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, Plaintiff shall show cause why Defendants J. Gonzales should not be dismissed from this action; and The failure to respond to this order or the failure to show cause will result in a recommendation that Defendant J. Gonzales be dismissed from this action. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated:

April 13, 2009

/s/ Dennis L. Beck UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE