Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06364/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06364-6/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KEVIN E. FIELDS, CASE NO. CV-F-03-6364 OWW DLB P

Plaintiff, ORDER RE PLAINTIFF’S

MOTION FOR LEAVE 

TO DEPOSE DEFENDANTS 

AND INMATES BY WRITTEN 

QUESTIONS

[DOC 75]

vs.

WARDEN A. K. SCRIBNER, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis with a civil rights action

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 1983. On November 3, 2005, plaintiff filed a motion to depose defendants

and inmates by written questions, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 31. 

Rule 31 provides:

a) Serving Questions; Notice.

(1) A party may take the testimony of any person, including a party, by deposition upon

written questions without leave of court except as provided in paragraph (2). The

attendance of witnesses may be compelled by the use of subpoena as provided in Rule

45.

(2) A party must obtain leave of court, which shall be granted to the extent consistent

with the principles stated in Rule 26(b)(2), if the person to be examined is confined in

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prison or if, without the written stipulation of the parties.

(A) a proposed deposition would result in more than ten depositions being taken under

this rule or Rule 30 by the plaintiffs, or by the defendants, or by third-party defendants;

(B) the person to be examined has already been deposed in the case; or

(C) a party seeks to take a deposition before the time specified in Rule 26(d).

(3) A party desiring to take a deposition upon written questions shall serve them upon

every other party with a notice stating (1) the name and address of the person who is to

answer them, if known, and if the name is not known, a general description sufficient to

identify the person or the particular class or group to which the person belongs, and (2)

the name or descriptive title and address of the officer before whom the deposition is to

be taken. A deposition upon written questions may be taken of a public or private

corporation or a partnership or association or governmental agency in accordance with

the provisions of Rule 30(b)(6).

(4) Within 14 days after the notice and written questions are served, a party may serve

cross questions upon all other parties. Within 7 days after being served with cross

questions, a partymay serve redirect questions upon all other parties. Within 7 days after

being served with redirect questions, a party may serve recross questions upon all other

parties. The court may for cause shown enlarge or shorten the time.

(b) Officer to Take Responses and Prepare Record. A copy of the notice and copies

of all questions served shall be delivered by the party taking the deposition to the officer

designated in the notice, who shall proceed promptly, in the manner provided by Rule

30(c), (e), and (f), to take the testimony of the witness in response to the questions and

to prepare, certify, and file or mail the deposition, attaching thereto the copy of the notice

and the questions received by the officer.

(c) Notice of Filing. When the deposition is filed the party taking it shall promptly give

notice thereof to all other parties.

Fed.R.Civ.P. 31.

If plaintiff wishes to pursue depositions of defendants oridentified inmates by written questions,

he must comply with Rule 31. Because at least some of the deponents are confined in prison, plaintiff

must obtain leave of Court to take the depositions bywritten questions. To do so, he must file and serve

a proper notice which not only identifies the deponent and the proposed questions, but also identifies

the deposition officer who will take the deposition. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 31(a)(3). Plaintiff is advised that

a deposition officer is an officer authorized to administer oaths (e.g. a notary public) by federal or local

law, or someone appointed by the court in which the action is pending. Fed.R.Civ.P. 28(a). Plaintiff

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must make arrangements to have a deposition officer take the testimony of the witnesses in response 1

to the questions at his own expense.

Plaintiff should also be aware that he may submit written interrogatories to defendants.

Plaintiff has failed to comply with Rule 31 and therefore his request to take depositions by

written questions is HEREBY DENIED without prejudice to refiling the motion with a proper notice

under Rule 31. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: November 8, 2005 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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