Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-01548/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-01548-0/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEPHEN KELLEY,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-03-1548 DFL PAN P

vs. ORDER DIRECTING PERSONAL SERVICE

B. WILLIAMS, et al., BY THE UNITED STATES MARSHAL

Defendant. WITHOUT PREPAYMENT OF COSTS

 / COSTS TAXED TO U.S. MARSHAL

Plaintiff is proceeding in forma pauperis pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915. By order

filed July 30, 2004, the court determined that plaintiff’s complaint states a cognizable claim for

relief against defendant Williams and ordered plaintiff to provide information for service of

process on form USM-285, a completed summons, sufficient copies of the complaint for service,

and a notice of compliance. Plaintiff filed the required papers. 

On December 27, 2004, however, the U.S. Marshal returned the USM-285 form

without executing service on defendant Williams. It appears the U.S. Marshal mailed the

appropriate waiver on August 30, 2004. However, typed on the bottom of the form is the

sentence, “12/22/04 PER PHONE CONVERSATION W/ATTY. BRUCE BRAVERMAN,

MOTION WAS DISMISSED. DOCKET DATE OF 9/28/04 STATES THIS.” A copy of the

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district court’s September 28, 2004 order dismissing one claim from this case was appended to

the returned USM-285 form.

There is nothing in the record to identify who “atty. Bruce Braverman” is; plaintiff

is proceeding pro se and no defendants have appeared in this action. No motion has been filed

and no motion has been dismissed in this action.

Moreover, the district court’s September 28, 2004 order did not dismiss defendant 

 Williams from this action. 

This court finds that the U.S. Marshal’s office failed to comply with this court’s

August 27, 2004 order directing that service of process be accomplished. Because the U.S.

Marshal chose to contact some unknown third party rather than respond directly to the court, the

U.S. Marshal has now unduly delayed service of process in this case. Accordingly, the U.S.

Marshal will be directed to perform personal service of process on defendant Williams forthwith. 

The court finds that good cause exists to tax the costs of personal service to the U.S. Marshal

rather than to the defendant.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk of the Court is directed to forward the instructions for service of

process, a newly issued, completed summons, two copies of the July 23, 2003 complaint, two

copies of the August 27, 2004 order, and two copies of this order to the United States Marshal.

2. The United States Marshal shall forthwith serve process and a copy of this

order upon defendants Doctor B. Williams pursuant to Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c) and shall command all necessary assistance from the

California Department of Corrections (CDC) to execute this order. The United States Marshal

shall maintain the confidentiality of all information provided by the CDC pursuant to this order;

and

3. Within ten days after personal service is effected, the United States Marshal

shall file the return of service for the defendant, along with evidence of any attempts to secure a

Case 2:03-cv-01548-RRB-EFB Document 15 Filed 03/02/06 Page 2 of 3
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waiver of service of process and of the costs subsequently incurred in effecting service on said

defendant. The U.S. Marshal shall bear all costs associated with the personal service of this

action. 

DATED: March 1, 2006.

001; kell1548.svc

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