Reed v. Department of Corrections et al

Filing 7

ORDER TO FILE AMENDED COMPLAINT on or before January 23, 2017, by Magistrate Judge David W. Christel. (Attachments: # 1 Amended Complaint form, # 2 Amended Service List form, # 3 Pro se Information Sheet)**12 PAGE(S), PRINT ALL** (Charles Reed, Prisoner ID: 932245)(GMR)

U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
Instructions to a Prisoner Pro Se Plaintiff/Petitioner – Mandatory E-Filer
Your suit was filed and has been assigned case number 3:16-cv-05993-BHS-DWC. The Court has NOT directed
service of your complaint/petition. These instructions do not include everything you need to know to pursue your
case, but following them may help you avoid common mistakes.
Filing and Serving Generally – After a defendant/respondent has been served with your complaint/petition, all
documents and motions you file with the Court will be electronically served on defendant/respondent’s attorney
(or on defendant/respondent if the defendant/respondent is pro se). All documents and motions you file must
contain a Certificate of Service reflecting that you served the defendant/respondent. This is an example of
language you may use:
I hereby certify that on [insert date], I submitted a copy of the foregoing document to the law librarian of
[insert name of institution] for electronic filing.
[Signature]
You must type or legibly handwrite (with dark ink if possible) your documents on one side of sequentially
numbered pages. Any exhibit or discovery material attached to the filing must be referred to in the filing. Any
exhibit or discovery material not referred to in your filing or not attached to your filing may be returned to you.
You must place your case number on all documents you file. If you have more than one case and are filing the
same document in each case, you must prepare separate documents to file in each case.
You must remove certain personal identifying information in all papers filed with the Court, including: dates of
birth, names of minor children, and social security, financial account, passport, and driver license numbers.
Filing Motions - If you want the Court to take an action, you must file a written motion stating what you want the
Court to do and provide your reasons for the action. Place the title of your motion in the caption along with a
noting date for the Court to review your motion:
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•
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Note these motions for the day they are filed: (1) stipulated, agreed, and joint submissions; (2)
request for over-length pleading; (3) reconsideration; (4) default;
Note these motions three Fridays after filing: (1) other non-dispositive motions; (2) relief from
deadline; (3) protective order; (4) seal; (5) default (where opposing party has appeared); (6) to
compel discovery; (7) quash.
Note these motions four Fridays after filing: (1) dispositive motions (dismissal and summary
judgment); (2) preliminary injunctions.

Change of Address – You must inform the Court and opposing parties promptly if you change your address. If you
fail to do so, your case may be dismissed.
Discovery Materials - Do not file discovery materials (i.e., interrogatories, requests for production and/or
admissions). If you file a motion to compel discovery, you may attach only the portions of discovery that are
relevant to your motion.
Questions About Your Case - Do not write letters to the District Judge or Magistrate Judge asking questions about
your case - all communication with the Court should be through motions. Do not write letters to the Clerk asking
for instructions on how to handle your case as the Clerk is prohibited from giving legal advice.
Lack of Action - It is important that you take action after you start your lawsuit. If more than one year passes
without any activity, the Court may dismiss your case for lack of prosecution.