Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00234/USCOURTS-caed-1_08-cv-00234-6/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ERNEST MILLER,

Plaintiff,

v.

CALIFORNIA STATE PRISON, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:08-cv-00234-OWW-SMS PC

ORDER FINDING SERVICE OF AMENDED

COMPLAINT APPROPRIATE, AND

FORWARDING SERVICE DOCUMENTS TO

PLAINTIFF FOR COMPLETION AND RETURN

WITHIN THIRTY DAYS

(Doc. 21)

Plaintiff Ernest Miller (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis

in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff filed this action on February 15,

2008. On August 22, 2008, the Court dismissed Plaintiff’s complaint, with leave to amend, for

failure to state any claims upon which relief may be granted. Plaintiff filed an amended complaint

on September 5, 2008.

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915A, the Court has screened Plaintiff’s amended complaint and

finds that it states cognizable claims for relief under section 1983 against Defendants Vikjord,

Hernandez, Price, Freshcura, and Brandon for withholding Plaintiff’s outgoing mail in violation of

the First Amendment, and against Defendants Vikjord, Hernandez, and Price for retaliation in

violation of the First Amendment. Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a); Erickson v. Pardus, 127 S.Ct. 2197, 2200

(2007); Alvarez v. Hill, 518 F.3d 1152, 1157-58 (9th Cir. 2008). In light of very liberal notice

pleading standards, Plaintiff’s allegations that he is African-American and African-American

prisoners are not liked on the yard by staff, Plaintiff may also proceed on an equal protection claim

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Case 1:08-cv-00234-OWW -SMS Document 24 Filed 09/12/08 Page 1 of 2
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against all five defendants. E.g., Johnson v. Riverside Healthcare System, LP, 534 F.3d 1116, 1122

(9th Cir. 2008). 

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Service is appropriate for the following defendants:

VIKJORD

HERNANDEZ

PRICE

FRESHCURA

BRANDON

2. The Clerk of the Court shall send Plaintiff five (5) USM-285 forms, five (5)

summonses, a Notice of Submission of Documents form, an instruction sheet and a

copy of the amended complaint filed September 5, 2008.

3. Within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, Plaintiff shall complete the

attached Notice of Submission of Documents and submit the completed Notice to the

Court with the following documents:

a. Completed summons;

b. One completed USM-285 form for each defendant listed above; and 

c. Six (6) copies of the endorsed amended complaint filed September 5, 2008.

4. Plaintiff need not attempt service on Defendants and need not request waiver of

service. Upon receipt of the above-described documents, the Court will direct the

United States Marshal to serve the above-named defendants pursuant to Federal Rule

of Civil Procedure 4 without payment of costs. 

5. The failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendation that this action

be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 11, 2008 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:08-cv-00234-OWW -SMS Document 24 Filed 09/12/08 Page 2 of 2