Coffman v. Hutchinson Community College
Filing
38
NOTICE AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE to Plaintiff to demonstrate why the individual defendants have not been served with the summons and Complaint. Show Cause Response due by 11/6/2017. See order for further details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer on 10/23/17. Mailed to pro se party Dustin Coffman by certified mail; Certified Tracking Number: 7012 1640 0000 9096 6357. (adc)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS
DUSTIN D. COFFMAN,
)
)
Plaintiff,
)
)
v.
)
)
HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, )
et al.,
)
)
Defendants.
)
)
Case No. 17-4070-SAC-GEB
NOTICE AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE
On September 22, 2017, U.S. Senior District Judge Sam A. Crow issued a
Memorandum and Order in this action. Among other rulings, Judge Crow found that the
individual defendants had not been properly served with process (ECF No. 28, at 7, 10).
In addition to this finding, Judge Crow explained, at length, the law regarding proper
service of individuals (see Order, ECF No. 28, at 6-7).
Despite those findings and instructions, a review of the docket reveals Plaintiff has
not requested issuance of summons in order to properly serve the individual defendants.
His most recent filing (ECF No. 36) suggests he sent notices and waivers of service to the
individual defendants at their business addresses, but the waivers were not returned. If
these defendants refuse to waive service, as is apparent here, it is Plaintiff’s duty to serve
them with a summons under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e). And, under Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(m),
Plaintiff has only 90 days from the filing of his Complaint in which to do so.1
Both the law, and Judge Crow’s recent order, are clear regarding proper service of
the summons and Complaint upon individuals.
Generally, if serving the individual
defendants under Kansas law, each defendant must be personally served or served by
certified mail, return receipt delivery to his or her home.2
But “service upon an
individual at his place of business without first attempting to serve him at his dwelling
place does not constitute substantial compliance under Kansas law.”3
In consideration of the above, the Court orders Plaintiff to show cause in writing
to the undersigned United States Magistrate Judge, on or before November 6, 2017, why
she should not recommend to the District Judge that his claims against the five individual
defendants be dismissed with prejudice for lack of prosecution under Fed. R. Civ. P.
41(b) for his failure to serve the individual defendants as required by law. This Notice
and Order to Show Cause shall be mailed to Plaintiff by certified mail, return receipt
delivery.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated at Wichita, Kansas this 23rd day of October 2017.
s/ Gwynne E. Birzer
GWYNNE E. BIRZER
United States Magistrate Judge
1
Plaintiff filed his Complaint on August 7, 2017, making his deadline for service November 6,
2017.
2
See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(e); K.S.A. §§ 60-303, -304(a).
3
Schwab v. State of Kansas, 2016 WL 4039613, at *4 (D. Kan. Jul. 28, 2016), appeal dismissed,
No. 16-3295 (10th Cir. Oct. 14, 2016).
2
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?