J & J Sports Productions, Inc. v. Flores, et al.

Filing 29

ORDER Authorizing 27 Process Server to Levy Execution Pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 699.080 signed by District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on 09/08/2009. (Flores, E)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 On August 17, 2009, the Court granted Plaintiff J & J Sports Productions, Inc.'s ("Plaintiff") 18 motion for default judgment against Defendants Maria Flores and Marcos Antonio Flores, 19 individually and dba Asadero Cachanilla ("Defendants"). Also on August 17, 2009, the Clerk of the 20 Court entered default judgment in favor of Plaintiff. 21 On September 7, 2009, Plaintiff filed an ex parte application for entry of an order authorizing 22 a process server to levy execution pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 699.080. 23 DISCUSSION 24 The execution of final judgments is governed by Rule 69(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil 25 Procedure. Rule 69(a) provides: 26 27 28 1 ) ) ) ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) ) vs. ) ) MARIA FLORES, et al., ) ) ) Defendants. ) ____________________________________) J & J SPORTS PRODUCTIONS, INC., 1:08cv0483 LJO DLB ORDER AUTHORIZING PROCESS SERVER TO LEVY EXECUTION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE § 699.080 (Document 27) IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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(1) Money Judgment; Applicable Procedure. A money judgment is enforced by a writ of execution, unless the court directs otherwise. The procedure on execution--and in proceedings supplementary to and in aid of judgment or execution--must accord with the procedure of the state where the court is located, but a federal statute governs to the extent it applies. (2) Obtaining Discovery. In aid of the judgment or execution, the judgment creditor or a successor in interest whose interest appears of record may obtain discovery from any person--including the judgment debtor--as provided in these rules or by the procedure of the state where the court is located. Fed.R.Civ.P. 69(a). Pursuant to Rule 69(a), post-judgment enforcement proceedings must comply

8 with California law. Credit Suisse v. U.S. Dist. Court for Cent. Dist. of California, 130 F.3d 1342, 9 10 Under California law, a registered process server may levy under a writ of execution on 11 property specified in California Code of Civil Procedure § 699.080(a). A registered process server is 12 a person registered as a process server pursuant to the Business and Professions Code. See 13 Cal.Civ.Proc.Code § 481.250 (citing Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §§ 22350 to 22360). This authority is 14 limited to cases where the levy does not involve the possibility of taking immediate possession of the 15 property. California Civil Procedure Code § 699.080 provides: 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 (b) Before levying under the writ of execution, the registered process server shall deposit a copy of the writ with the levying officer and pay the fee provided by Section 26721 of the Government Code. (c) If a registered process server levies on property pursuant to subdivision (a), the registered process server shall do both of the following: (1) Comply with the applicable levy, posting, and service provisions of Article 4 (commencing with Section 700.010). (2) Request any third person served to give a garnishee's memorandum to the levying officer in compliance with Section 701.030 on a form provided by the registered process server. (d) Within five court days after levy under this section, all of the following shall be filed with the levying officer: (1) The writ of execution. (2) A proof of service by the registered process server stating the manner of levy performed. (3) Proof of service of the copy of the writ and notice of levy on other persons, as required by Article 4 (commencing with Section 700.010). (4) Instructions in writing, as required by the provisions of Section 687.010. (e) If the fee provided by Section 26721 of the Government Code has been paid, the levying officer shall perform all other duties under the writ as if the levying officer had levied under the writ and shall return the writ to the court. If the registered 2 1344 (9th Cir. 1997); Hilao v. Estate of Marcos, 95 F.3d 848, 850 (9th Cir. 1996).

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process server does not comply with subdivisions (b) and (d), the levy is ineffective and the levying officer is not required to perform any duties under the writ and may issue a release for any property sought to be levied upon. (f) The fee for services of a registered process server under this section shall be allowed as a recoverable cost pursuant to Section 1033.5. (g) A registered process server may levy more than once under the same writ of execution, provided that the writ is still valid. Cal.Code Civ.Proc. § 699.080. The Court has reviewed the documents filed by Plaintiff. The Court finds that Jeffrey L. Schuitema of Legalese Attorney Service is a registered process server, having filed a certificate of registration in Sacramento County. Based on the declaration of Plaintiff's attorney, the Court finds that the interests of justice would be served by relieving the United States Marshal from effectuating certain types of services necessary to effectuate collection of the judgment in this action. The Court also notes that the use of a process server is routine in the enforcement of judgments and is authorized by California law. ORDER Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. Plaintiff may employ the services of Jeffrey L. Schuitema of Legalese Attorney Service to perform the duties and responsibilities of levying officer as defined under California Code of Civil Procedure § 699.080; and Jeffrey L. Schuitema of Legalese Attorney Service SHALL comply with the requirements of the California Code of Civil Procedure concerning the enforcement of judgments, including California Code of Civil Procedure § 699.080. IT IS SO ORDERED. D a te d : 66h44d September 8, 2009 /s/ Lawrence J. O'Neill U N IT E D STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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