Mkhitaryan v. County of Clark

Filing 37

ORDER removing the Federal Public Defender's office as counsel of record as to Plaintiff. Attorney Alicia R. Intriago and Stacy M. Newman terminated. Amended Complaint deadline: 4/30/2025. Signed by Magistrate Judge Nancy J. Koppe on 3/3/2025. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - MAM)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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DISTRICT OF NEVADA

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SERGEY MKHITARYAN,

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Plaintiff(s),

Case No. 2:24-cv-00708-RFB-NJK
Order

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v.

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COUNTY OF CLARK,

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Defendant(s).

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Plaintiff is being prosecuted in state proceedings, during which issues have been raised as

12 to his competence to stand trial. On October 7, 2024, the Court appointed the Office of the Federal
13 Public Defender to represent Plaintiff in this case in light of those competency issues. Docket No.
14 20; see also Davis v. Walker, 745 F.3d 1303, at 1311 (9th Cir. 2014) (citing Krain v. Smallwood,
15 880 F.2d 1119, 1121 (9th Cir. 1989)). On February 5, 2025, counsel filed a status report indicating
16 that (1) Plaintiff has been deemed competent to stand trial in his state criminal case and (2) Plaintiff
17 has apparently refused to meet with counsel regarding filing an amended complaint in this case.
18 Docket No. 34. On February 6, 2025, the Court ordered Plaintiff to confer with his counsel.
19 Docket No. 35. The Court also ordered counsel to file a further notice as to whether counsel should
20 continue to represent Plaintiff in this matter given the competence finding in state court, whether
21 a new deadline should be set for the filing of an amended complaint, and (relatedly) whether
22 Plaintiff intends to continue pursuing this case. Id.
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Counsel has now filed that notice. Docket No. 36. Counsel filed that notice representing

24 that Plaintiff has not communicated with them and that he has not appeared during state court
25 proceedings. Id. Counsel further indicate that, “given the state court’s competency finding and
26 Plaintiff’s noncommunication with counsel, the undersigned attorneys believe that counsel should
27 not continue to represent the Plaintiff.” Id. at 2. Because they have had no further communications
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1 with Plaintiff, counsel take no position on whether Plaintiff wants the case to continue and request
2 he be given 60 days to file an amended complaint. Id.
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In light of the changed circumstances, the Court relieves appointed counsel of their duty in

4 this case and Plaintiff will return to his pro se status. The Clerk’s Office is INSTRUCTED to
5 remove the Federal Public Defender’s office as counsel of record. If Plaintiff wishes to proceed
6 with this case, he is ORDERED to file an amended complaint in compliance with the earlier
7 screening order. See Docket No. 12. That amended complaint must be filed by April 30, 2025.
8 Failure to file an amended complaint by that date may result in dismissal.
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IT IS SO ORDERED.

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Dated: March 3, 2025
______________________________
Nancy J. Koppe
United States Magistrate Judge

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