Chick v. Lacey et al

Filing 33

ORDER to SHOW CAUSE to Defendant, Wattle signed by Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Beck on 2/27/2014. Show Cause Response due by 4/1/2014.(Lundstrom, T)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

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WAYNE CHICK,

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Plaintiff,
vs.
B. A. LACEY, et al.,
Defendants.

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1:11cv01447 DLB PC
ORDER PROVIDING DEFENDANT
WATTLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO
SHOW GOOD CAUSE FOR FAILING TO
WAIVE SERVICE

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Plaintiff Wayne Chick (“Plaintiff”), a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma
pauperis, filed this civil rights action filed on August 29, 2011.
On July 22, 2013, the Court ordered the United States Marshal to serve process upon
Defendants in this case. The Marshal was directed to attempt to secure a waiver of service
before attempting personal service on Defendants. If a waiver of service was not returned by a

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Defendant within sixty days, the Marshal was directed to effect personal service on the
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Defendant in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c), without prepayment of costs, and to file the return of service with
evidence of any attempt to secure a waiver of service and with evidence of all costs subsequently
incurred in effecting personal service.
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On February 7, 2014, the United States Marshal filed a return of service with a USM-285
form showing charges of $367.52 for effecting personal service on Defendant D. Wattle. ECF
No. 26. The form shows that a waiver of service form was mailed to Defendant Wattle on July
30, 2013.
Pursuant to the Court’s order, Defendants are required to return the waivers to the United

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States Marshal and the filing of an answer or a motion does not relieve them of this obligation.
Defendant Wattle did not return a waiver, which resulted in the execution of personal service on
February 5, 2014.

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Defendant Wattle filed a motion to dismiss on February 26, 2014.

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Rule 4 provides that “[a]n individual, corporation, or association that is subject to service

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under Rule 4(e), (f), or (h) has a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons.”

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Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1). “If a defendant located within the United States fails, without good

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cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United States, the

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court must impose on the defendant . . . the expenses later incurred in making service. . . .” Fed.

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R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A).
It appears that Defendant Wattle was given the opportunity required by Rule 4(d)(1) to
waive service, but he failed to return his waiver to the United States Marshal, although he did

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make an appearance in the action. The Court shall provide Defendant Wattle with the
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opportunity to show good cause for failing to waive service. If Defendant Wattle either fails to
respond to this order or responds but fails to show good cause, the costs incurred in effecting
service shall be imposed on Defendant Wattle.

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Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

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1.

Defendant Wattle may, within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, show

good cause for failing to waive service; and

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2.

If Defendant Wattle either fails to respond to this order or responds but fails to

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show good cause, the Court shall impose upon Defendant Wattle the costs incurred in effecting
service.

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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated:

/s/ Dennis

February 27, 2014

L. Beck

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE
DEAC_Signature-END:

9b0hied

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