Harper v. Humphreys et al

Filing 36

ORDER signed by Magistrate Judge Edmund F. Brennan on 2/5/09 ORDERING the clerk to mail pltf 1 USM-285 form and a copy of the 5 amended cmplt to be completed and returned along w/ the Notice of Submission of Documents or a request for voluntary dismissal of dft Humphreys w/in 60 days; failure to provide new instructions for svc upon dft Humphreys w/in the time allowed or show good cause for such failure will result in a recommendation that dft Humphreys be dismissed. (Yin, K)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 vs. HUMPHREYS, et al., Defendants. / Plaintiff is a prisoner without counsel in an action brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. He proceeds in forma pauperis. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915. The United States Marshal returned process directed to defendant Humphreys unserved because defendant is "no longer at facility." On January 23, 2009, the court directed plaintiff to provide new information about where this defendant may be served with process. The court also directed plaintiff to submit a completed form USM-285 providing instructions for service of process upon defendant Humphreys along with two copies of his October 19, 2007 pleading. On January 29, 2009, plaintiff submitted the requested documents. However, plaintiff has provided the same address for defendant Humphreys that he provided in his first attempt to serve defendant Humphreys. He has also filed a letter with the court explaining that he is attempting locate the address for service, but that "if [defendant Humphreys] is not found it really does not matter," and "if he cannot be found it is 1 ORDER DANIEL HARPER, Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-2131 MCE EFB P IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

really no big deal." As no defendant has made an appearance in this action, plaintiff may voluntarily dismiss defendant Humphreys if that is what he wishes to do. However, if plaintiff wishes for the United States Marshal to attempt again to serve defendant Humphreys, he must provide new information about where this defendant may be served with process. Plaintiff may seek such information through discovery, the California Public Records Act, California Government Code §§ 6250, et seq., or any other means available but must proceed with haste because Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m) requires an action be dismissed as to a defendant not served within 120 days after filing the complaint unless the time is enlarged based upon a demonstration of good cause. If plaintiff's access to the required information is denied or unreasonably delayed, plaintiff may seek judicial intervention. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that: 1. The Clerk of the Court shall mail plaintiff one form USM-285 and a copy of the pleading filed October 19, 2007. 2. Within 60 days from the date this order is served, plaintiff may submit the attached Notice of Submission of Documents with a completed form USM-285 providing instructions for service of process upon defendant Humphreys and two copies of the pleading provided to plaintiff or a request for voluntary dismissal of defendant Humphreys. 3. Failure to provide new instructions for service of process upon defendant Humphreys within the time allowed or show good cause for such failure will result in a recommendation that defendant Humphreys be dismissed. Dated: February 5, 2009.

2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Plaintiff DATED: order filed One vs. HUMPHREYS, et al., Defendants. / NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS DANIEL HARPER, Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-2131 MCE EFB P IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff hereby submits the following documents in compliance with the court's . completed summons completed USM-285 forms copies of the Complaint/Amended Complaint