Shook v. Town of Truckee, et al

Filing 91

ORDER signed by Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. on 2/6/09 ORDERING that costs are accordingly taxed in favor of Dfts as stated in their Bill of Costs, except that court reporter fees are reduced from $2,544.80 to $2,494.80. Total costs are awarded to Dfts in the sum of $3,030.19. (Engbretson, K.)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Defendants. 17 ----oo0oo---18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Defendants, as the prevailing parties in this litigation pursuant to the judgment entered on January 15, 2009 following trial, have filed a Bill of Costs, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1920, in the amount of $3,080.19. Plaintiff has objected to a $50.00 v. TOWN OF TRUCKEE, TRUCKEE POLICE OFFICERS: RYAN MOREAU #6154, OFFICER MARDISON, OFFICER WALSH, JEFFREY MAX SHOOK, No. 2:06-cv-02865-MCE-EFB Plaintiff, ORDER UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

delivery charge in connection with the transcript of his deposition, but otherwise does not take issue with the other items claimed as costs by Defendants. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d), the prevailing party in a lawsuit may recover its costs "unless the court otherwise directs". 1

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As this language suggests, the ultimate decision on whether to award costs is a matter within the court's discretion. Association of Mexican-American Educators v. State of Calif., 231 F.3d 572, 591-92 (9th Cir. 2000). If the Court declines to

award costs as requested by the prevailing party, however, it should specify its reasons for doing so. 302 F.3d 909. 921 (9th Cir. 2002). As this Court has previously recognized, neither mail nor courier fees can properly be taxed. U.S. ex rel. Stierli v. Berkla v. Corel Corp.,

Shasta Services Inc., 2007 WL 1516934 at *1 (E.D. Cal. 2007), citing El-Fadl v. Central Bank of Jordan, 163 F.R.D. 389, 390 (D.D.C. 1995). The $50.00 delivery charge claimed in connection

with Plaintiff's deposition falls within the rubric of such impermissible courier fees. Consequently Defendants' claimed

costs will be reduced by $50.00. Costs are accordingly taxed in favor of Defendants as stated in their Bill of Costs, except that court reporter fees are reduced from $2,544.80 to $2,494.80. Total costs are hence

awarded to Defendants in the sum of $3,030.19. IT IS SO ORDERED. Dated: February 6, 2009

_____________________________ MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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