Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-5_15-cv-02040/USCOURTS-cand-5_15-cv-02040-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 555
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Prison Condition
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BRYANT KEITH BROWN,

Plaintiff,

v.

DR. DO WILLIAMS, 

Defendant. /

No. C 15-2040 NC (PR)

ORDER VACATING ORDER

DIRECTING PLAINTIFF TO FILE

PROOF OF SERVICE; ORDER OF

SERVICE; DIRECTING DEFENDANT

TO FILE DISPOSITIVE MOTION OR

NOTICE REGARDING SUCH

MOTION

Plaintiff Bryant Keith Brown, a California state prisoner proceeding pro se, filed a

complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging that Defendant Dr. Do Williams at Salinas

Valley State Prison was deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs. The Court

initially denied Plaintiff’s motion to proceed in forma pauperis. In a separate order, the

Court has reconsidered its decision and has now granted Plaintiff in forma pauperis status. 

As such, the Court’s previous order directing Plaintiff to file proof of service on Defendant is

VACATED. Defendant is directed to file a dispositive motion or notice regarding such

motion.

DISCUSSION

I. Standard of Review

A federal court must engage in a preliminary screening of any case in which a

prisoner seeks redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental

entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). In its review the Court must identify any cognizable claims,

Case 5:15-cv-02040-NC Document 16 Filed 10/26/15 Page 1 of 4
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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and dismiss any claims which are frivolous, malicious, fail to state a claim upon which relief

may be granted, or seek monetary relief from a defendant who is immune from such relief. 

28 U.S.C. § 1915A(b)(1),(2). Pro se pleadings must be liberally construed. Balistreri v.

Pacifica Police Dep’t, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1990).

To state a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege two elements: (1) that

a right secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States was violated and (2) that the

violation was committed by a person acting under the color of state law. West v. Atkins, 487

U.S. 42, 48 (1988). 

II. Plaintiff’s Claim

Upon review of Plaintiff’s allegations, the Court finds that, liberally construed,

Plaintiff has stated a claim against Defendant for deliberate indifference to his serious

medical needs. 

CONCLUSION

1. The Clerk of the court shall mail a Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver

of Service of Summons, two copies of the Waiver of Service of Summons, a copy of the

complaint and all attachments thereto, a magistrate judge consent form, and a copy of this

order to Dr. Do Williams at Salinas Valley State Prison. The Clerk of the court shall also

mail a courtesy copy of the complaint and a copy of this order to the California Attorney

General’s Office. Additionally, the Clerk shall mail a copy of this order to Plaintiff.

2. Defendant is cautioned that Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure

requires them to cooperate in saving unnecessary costs of service of the summons and

complaint. Pursuant to Rule 4, if Defendant, after being notified of this action and asked by

the court, on behalf of Plaintiff, to waive service of the summons, fails to do so, he will be

required to bear the cost of such service unless good cause be shown for their failure to sign

and return the waiver form. If service is waived, this action will proceed as if Defendant had

been served on the date that the waiver is filed, and Defendant will not be required to serve

and file an answer before sixty (60) days from the date on which the request for waiver was

sent. Defendant is asked to read the statement set forth at the bottom of the waiver form that

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more completely describes the duties of the parties with regard to waiver of service of the

summons. If service is waived after the date provided in the Notice but before Defendant has

been personally served, the Answer shall be due sixty (60) days from the date on which the

request for waiver was sent or twenty (20) days from the date the waiver form is filed,

whichever is later. 

3. No later than sixty (60) days from the date the waivers are sent from the court,

Defendant shall file a motion for summary judgment or other dispositive motion with respect

to the cognizable claim in the complaint. At that time, Defendant shall also file the

magistrate judge consent form.

Any motion for summary judgment shall be supported by adequate factual

documentation and shall conform in all respects to Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure. Defendant is advised that summary judgment cannot be granted, nor

qualified immunity found, if material facts are in dispute. If Defendant is of the opinion

that this case cannot be resolved by summary judgment, he shall so inform the court

prior to the date the summary judgment motion is due. 

4. Plaintiff’s opposition to the dispositive motion shall be filed with the court and

served on Defendant no later than twenty-eight (28) days from the date Defendant’s motion

is filed. Plaintiff is advised to read Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and

Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 (1986) (holding party opposing summary judgment

must come forward with evidence showing triable issues of material fact on every essential

element of his claim). 

5. Defendant shall file a reply brief no later than fourteen (14) days after

Plaintiff’s opposition is filed. 

6. The motion shall be deemed submitted as of the date the reply brief is due. No

hearing will be held on the motion unless the court so orders at a later date. 

7. All communications by the Plaintiff with the court must be served on

Defendant or Defendant’s counsel, by mailing a true copy of the document to Defendant or

Defendant’s counsel.

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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8. Discovery may be taken in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure. No further court order is required before the parties may conduct discovery.

9. It is Plaintiff’s responsibility to prosecute this case. Plaintiff must keep the

court and all parties informed of any change of address and must comply with the court’s

orders in a timely fashion. Failure to do so may result in the dismissal of this action for

failure to prosecute pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: 

NATHANAEL M. COUSINS

United States Magistrate Judge

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