Sutton v. Heaward et al
Filing
14
ORDER DIRECTING SERVICE by E-mail upon defendants. (Order Directing Service, Complaint, Declaration in support, Notice of Lawsuit and Waiver of Summons emailed on 8/4/17 to Defendants.) Signed by Magistrate Judge Theresa L Fricke. (Attachments: # 1 pro se instruction sheet)**6 PAGE(S), PRINT ALL**(Jason Sutton, Prisoner ID: 730954)(CMG)
U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
Instructions to a Prisoner Pro Se Plaintiff – Mandatory E‐Filer
Your suit was filed and has been assigned case number C17‐5546RJB/TLF. The Court has directed service of your
complaint. 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 has been served your complaint, all documents and motions you
file with the Court will be electronically served on defendant’s attorney (or on defendant if the defendant is pro
se). All documents and motions you file must contain a Certificate of Service reflecting that you served the
defendant. 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 your documents on one side of 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 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:
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.
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