Archer v. City of Winter Haven et al

Filing 37

ORDER denying 24 Motion for Entry of Default; denying 25 Motion for Entry of Default; denying 26 Motion for Entry of Default. See order for details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone on 3/10/2017. (BEE)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION

DARRELL ARCHER,
Plaintiff,
v.

Case No.: 8:16-cv-3067-T-36AAS

CITY OF WINTER HAVEN, et
al.,
Defendants.
______________________________________/
ORDER
Before the Court is Plaintiff’s Requests for Entry of Default (“Motions for Clerk’s
Default”) (Docs. 24, 25, 26). Specifically, Plaintiff seeks entry of a clerk’s default against Ken
Nichols, Winter Haven Police Department, and Dan Gaskin (collectively, “Defendants”). (Id.).
Federal Rule 55(a), which governs the entry of default, provides: “When a party against
whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend, and that
failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk must enter the party’s default.” Fed. R. Civ.
P. 55(a). However, “[d]efault is to be used sparingly,” and cases should normally be adjudicated
on their merits. Mitchell v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 294 F.3d 1309, 1316 (11th Cir.
2002).
Here, attorney Jessica Christy Conner filed a Notice of Limited Appearance on behalf of
Defendants on February 28, 2017, the day after Plaintiff filed his Motions for Clerk’s Default.
(Docs. 27, 28, 29). In addition, on March 8, 2017, Defendants filed their responses to Plaintiff’s
Motions for Clerk’s Default. (Docs. 34, 35, 36). In said responses, Defendants point out that
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service was improper. (Id.). Notwithstanding the insufficient service, Defendants Ken Nichols,
Winter Haven Police Department, and Dan Gaskin have agreed to waive service and respond to
Plaintiff’s Complaint within 30 days. (Docs. 34, 35, 36, Ex. A).
Accordingly, after due consideration, it is ORDERED:
Plaintiff’s Motions for Clerk’s Default (Docs. 24, 25, 26) are DENIED. Defendants Ken
Nichols, Winter Haven Police Department, and Dan Gaskin shall file a response to Plaintiff’s
Complaint (Doc. 1) no later than April 7, 2017.
DONE AND ORDERED in Tampa, Florida on this 10th day of March, 2017.

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