Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00101/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00101-0/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 

DONALD JOSHUA SMITH, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

DHARMVIR SINGH, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:20-cv-0101-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 unsigned 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. Similarly, the court cannot rule on plaintiff’s application for 

leave to proceed in forma pauperis because he has not signed it. Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of 

Case 2:20-cv-00101-TLN-JDP Document 5 Filed 01/22/20 Page 1 of 2
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Civil Procedure requires that “[e]very pleading, written motion, and other paper . . . be signed by 

at least one attorney of record 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) 

or his in forma pauperis application, they will be disregarded. Within thirty days, plaintiff may 

file a signed complaint and a signed in forma pauperis application. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 3 (“A civil 

action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court.”). Failure to comply with this order 

may result in an order closing this case. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff’s unsigned complaint and in forma pauperis application (ECF Nos. 1 & 2) are 

disregarded. 

2. Within 30 days from the date of this order, plaintiff shall submit a signed complaint and 

in forma pauperis application. Failure to comply with this order may result in dismissal. 

3. The Clerk of the court is directed to send to plaintiff a new form Application to Proceed 

In Forma Pauperis by a Prisoner and a copy of his unsigned complaint. 

Dated: January 22, 2020. 

Case 2:20-cv-00101-TLN-JDP Document 5 Filed 01/22/20 Page 2 of 2