Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-06215/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-06215-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1442 Petition for Removal

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BETTY J. WATTS,

Plaintiff,

v.

AMY DEAN, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 4:16-cv-06215-KAW 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE; ORDER 

CONTINUING 12/15/16 HEARING

Plaintiff Betty J. Watts, proceeding pro se, filed this lawsuit against the Social Security 

Administration for the wrongful termination of benefits based on her alleged death. On November 

3, 2016, the Government filed a motion to dismiss in this action. (Dkt. No. 9.) Pursuant to Civil 

Local Rule 7-3, Plaintiff’s opposition was due on November 21, 2016. Plaintiff did not file an 

opposition.

Plaintiff informed the Court telephonically that her pay status has since been corrected and 

that she is again receiving benefits. Accordingly, by no later than January 31, 2017, the Court 

orders Plaintiff to either:

(1) File a voluntary dismissal, and return the consent/declination form, both of 

which are attached. 

OR

(2) File a response to this order to show cause and explain why her case should not 

be dismissed for failure to prosecute, and (2) file an opposition to the motion to 

dismiss. The response to this order to show cause and the opposition should be 

filed as separate documents. 

Failure to timely respond to this order to show cause may result in the dismissal of this action for 

failure to prosecute. See Judge Westmore’s General Standing Order ¶ 22 (“The failure of the 

Case 4:16-cv-06215-KAW Document 13 Filed 12/13/16 Page 1 of 7
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

opposing party to file a memorandum of points and authorities in opposition to any motion shall 

constitute consent to the granting of the motion”).

To aid in her compliance with this order, Plaintiff may wish to contact the Federal Pro 

Bono Project’s Help Desk—a free service for pro se litigants— by calling (415) 782-8982 to make 

an appointment to obtain legal assistance from a licensed attorney.

Additionally, the December 15, 2016 hearing on the motion to dismiss is continued to 

March 2, 2017 at U.S. District Court, 1301 Clay Street, Oakland, California at 11:00 a.m. in 

Courtroom 4.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 13, 2016

__________________________________

KANDIS A. WESTMORE

United States Magistrate Judge

Case 4:16-cv-06215-KAW Document 13 Filed 12/13/16 Page 2 of 7
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United States District Court 

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

BETTY J. WATTS 

Plaintiff 

v. 

AMY DEAN, et al., 

Defendant. 

Case No. 4:16-cv-06215-KAW 

CONSENT OR DECLINATION 

TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE 

JURISDICTION

INSTRUCTIONS: Please indicate below by checking one of the two boxes whether you (if you are the party) 

or the party you represent (if you are an attorney in the case) choose(s) to consent or decline magistrate judge 

jurisdiction in this matter. Sign this form below your selection. 

☐ Consent to Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction

 In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), I voluntarily consent to have a 

United States magistrate judge conduct all further proceedings in this case, including trial and 

entry of final judgment. I understand that appeal from the judgment shall be taken directly to the 

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

 OR

☐ Decline Magistrate Judge Jurisdiction

 In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), I decline to have a United States 

magistrate judge conduct all further proceedings in this case and I hereby request that this case 

be reassigned to a United States district judge. 

DATE: ________________, 20__ NAME: 

COUNSEL FOR 

(OR “PRO SE”): 

 

Signature

Case 4:16-cv-06215-KAW Document 13 Filed 12/13/16 Page 3 of 7
Rev. 11/2015

Instructions: Notice of Voluntary Dismissal

This packet was prepared by the Justice & Diversity Center, a nonprofit organization, and is not 

an official court form. 

Checklist

This packet provides a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal form and a Certificate of service. It is also 

available in a fillable pdf version on the Court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov/LegalHelp-Center-Templates. This packet includes the following forms: 

• Notice of Voluntary Dismissal 

• Certificate of Service

General Instructions

A. The purpose of a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal is for the plaintiff to dismiss the 

lawsuit either as a whole, or as against any particular defendants. 

B. Timing. Generally, a plaintiff has a right to file a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal 

at any time before the defendant serves either an answer or a motion for summary judgment. If 

the defendant you want to dismiss from the case has filed an answer or motion for summary 

judgment, you cannot use this form; you should seek legal advice. 

C. Whether you can re-file after dismissal. This Notice of Voluntary Dismissal 

form states that the dismissal will be “without prejudice,” which generally means that the 

plaintiff may sue again on the same claim, if the time to do so has not passed. But if this is the 

second time that a plaintiff has attempted to sue on this claim (in state or federal court), filing 

this Notice will be considered a dismissal “with prejudice,” regardless of the language included 

in the form. “With prejudice” means the plaintiff cannot file another suit based on this claim. If 

you think you may want to re-file the case later, before dismissing, seek legal advice.

D. Fill out each of the included forms COMPLETELY. Suggestions are provided 

[in brackets and italics that look like this] to help you fill in the blanks. If a blank does not apply 

to you, write “not applicable.” Be sure to sign and date each form.

E. Serving and Filing the Papers. Make sure that a copy of all of the forms in this 

packet is served on the opposing party in one of the ways listed on the Certificate of Service. 

Have the person who served the motion papers fill out the Certificate of Service. You can do 

this yourself. Then, mail or hand-deliver the original plus two copies of the forms to the 

Clerk’s Office at the court to which you are assigned. The Clerk will take the original and one 

copy. The other copy is for you to keep after it is stamped by the Clerk. If you file by mail, 

include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so that the Clerk can send a copy back to you.

Case 4:16-cv-06215-KAW Document 13 Filed 12/13/16 Page 4 of 7
Rev. 11/2015

More Information

This packet does NOT tell you everything you need to know about voluntary dismissals. Before 

you file a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal, we recommend that: 

• If your case is in the San Francisco/Oakland federal courthouse, you make an 

appointment with the Legal Help Center for free legal information and advice by calling 

415-782-8982 OR sign up at 450 Golden Gate Ave., S.F., 15th Floor, Room 2796 OR 

1301 Clay Street, Oakland, 4th Floor, Room 470S. 

• If your case is in San Jose, you make an appointment with the Federal Pro Se Program 

by calling (408) 297-1480 OR by signing up at 280 South First Street, S.J., Room 2070. 

Case 4:16-cv-06215-KAW Document 13 Filed 12/13/16 Page 5 of 7
VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL; Case No. __________________________ 

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Your Name:

Address: 

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

E-mail Address:

Pro Se Plaintiff

United States District Court

Northern District of California

Case Number:

Plaintiff(s), NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL

vs. 

Defendant(s).

TO THE HONORABLE COURT, ALL PARTIES HEREIN AND THEIR RESPECTIVE 

COUNSEL OF RECORD:

I am the Plaintiff in this matter and I voluntarily dismiss this lawsuit pursuant to Federal 

Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(i). Such dismissal shall be without prejudice, with each side 

to bear its own costs and fees. 

Date: Sign Name:

Print Name:

Case 4:16-cv-06215-KAW Document 13 Filed 12/13/16 Page 6 of 7
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE [JDC TEMPLATE] Rev. 6/2013

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

*Use this form to show that a paper or document (other than a complaint) was served (sent or

delivered) to an opposing party in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 5. 

A different form is needed to serve a complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4.* 

Case name: 

Case number: 

What document was served? (Write the full name or title of the document or documents, e.g., 

“Plaintiff’s Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment.”) 

Title(s): 

How was the document served? (Check one.)

□ Placed in U. S. Mail

□ Sent by fax

□ Hand-delivered

□ Sent by delivery service (e.g., FedEx or UPS)

To whom was the document sent? (Write the full name, address, and fax number of everyone 

who was sent the document. Usually, they will be the lawyers for the opposing parties.)

When were the documents served? (When were they mailed, faxed, or delivered?)

Date: 

Who served the documents? (Whoever puts it into the mail, faxes, hand-deliveres, or sends by 

delivery service should print his/her name, address and sign. You can also do this yourself.) 

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the 

information in this certificate of service is true and correct. 

Signature: 

Printed name:

Address: 

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