Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-02956/USCOURTS-caed-2_16-cv-02956-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

CHRISTOPHER F. HERINA, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

BUTTE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, 

et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:16-cv-2956-EFB P 

ORDER 

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 

U.S.C. § 1983. In addition to filing an application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis, he has 

filed an unsigned complaint. 

 Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which prisoners seek 

redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915A(a). The court must identify cognizable claims or dismiss the complaint, or any portion 

of the complaint, if the complaint “is frivolous, malicious, or fails to state a claim upon which 

relief may be granted,” or “seeks monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such 

relief.” Id. § 1915A(b). 

 The court cannot conduct the required screening of plaintiff’s complaint because plaintiff 

has not signed it. See ECF No. 1. Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that 

“[e]very pleading, written motion, and other paper . . . be signed by at least one attorney of record 

Case 2:16-cv-02956-EFB Document 9 Filed 01/26/17 Page 1 of 2
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in the attorney’s name—or by a party personally if the party is unrepresented.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 

11(a). Because plaintiff did not sign the complaint (ECF No. 1), it will be disregarded. Within 

thirty days, plaintiff may file a complaint that is signed. Failure to comply with this order may 

result in an order of dismissal. 

 So ordered. 

Dated: January 26, 2017. 

Case 2:16-cv-02956-EFB Document 9 Filed 01/26/17 Page 2 of 2