Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00628/USCOURTS-caed-1_06-cv-00628-0/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

JOHN E. WEST, et al., 1:06-CV-0628-OWW-WMW-P

Plaintiffs, ORDER SEVERING PLAINTIFFS’

CLAIMS, AND DIRECTING CLERK’S

vs. OFFICE TO OPEN ONE NEW

ACTION FOR PLAINTIFF

A. A. LAMARQUE, Warden, et al., R. RHODES

Defendants. [Doc. 1]

 /

I. Severance of Plaintiffs’ Claims

Plaintiffs John E. West and R. Rhodes are state prisoners proceeding pro se in a civil rights

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. After reviewing the record in this action, the court has determined

that each plaintiff should proceed separately on his own claims. Rule 21 of the Federal Rules of Civil

Procedure provides that “parties may be dropped or added by order of the court on motion of any party

or of its own initiative at any stage of the action and on such terms as are just,” and “any claim against

a party may be severed and proceeded with separately.” Courts have broad discretion regarding

severance. See Davis v. Mason County, 927 F.2d 1473, 1479 (9th Cir. 1991).

In the instant action, the two plaintiffs are in the custody of the California Department of

Corrections. In this court’s experience, an action brought by multiple plaintiffs proceeding pro se in

which one or more of the plaintiffs is incarcerated presents procedural problems that cause delay and

confusion. Delay often arises from the frequent transfer of inmates to other facilities or institutions, the

changes in address that occur when inmates are released on parole, and the difficulties faced by inmates

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who attempt to communicate with each other and other unincarcerated individuals. In this case, the need

for the plaintiffs to agree on all filings made in this action and the need for all filings to contain the

original signatures of plaintiffs will lead to delay and confusion.

Accordingly, the courtshall order plaintiffs’ claims severed. Plaintiff West will proceed in this

action, while plaintiff R. Rhodes will proceed in separate civil action to be opened by the Clerk of the

Court. Each plaintiff shall proceed separately and shall be solely responsible for his own action.

The Clerk of the Court will be directed to assign a new action to the same district judge and

magistrate judge assigned to the instant action. The Clerk of the Court shall make appropriate

adjustment in the assignment of civil cases to compensate for this reassignment.

Since the claim of plaintiff R. Rhodes will be severed, plaintiff shall be given thirty days to file,

in his own action, an amended complaint and a completed application for leave to proceed in forma

pauperis, using the forms provided by the court with this order. 

II. Plaintiff West’s Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis

Plaintiff West has submitted an application to proceed in forma pauperis in this action. Plaintiff

has not, however, filed a certified copy of his prison trust account statement for the six month period

immediately preceding the filing of the complaint. See 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a)(2). Plaintiff West will be

provided the opportunity to submit a certified copy of his trust account statement in support of his

request to proceed in forma pauperis, or pay the $350.00 filing fee.

III. Plaintiff R. Rhodes' Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis.

The court will provide plaintiff Rhodes with the opportunity to either submit a new application

form or pay the filing fee in full. Plaintiff Rhodes is informed that the section of the application form

entitled “Certificate” must be filled out and signed by a prison official, and the application must be

accompanied by a certified copy of plaintiff’s prison trust account statement for the six month period

immediately preceding the filing of the complaint.

Accordingly, based on the foregoing, it is HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff West shall proceed as the sole plaintiff in case number 1:06-CV-0628-OWWWMW-P;

2. The claim of plaintiff R. Rhodes is severed from the claim of plaintiff West;

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3. The Clerk of the Court is directed to:

a. Open a separate civil action for plaintiff R. Rhodes;

b. Assign the new action to the district judge and magistrate judge to whom the

instant case is assigned and make appropriate adjustment in the assignment of

civil cases to compensate for such assignment;

c. File and docket a copy of this order in the new action opened for plaintiff

Rhodes;

d. Place a copy of the complaint filed on May 23, 2006 in the instant action in the

new action opened for plaintiff R. Rhodes;

e. Send plaintiff R. Rhodes an endorsed copy of the complaint, filed May 23, 2006,

bearing the case number assigned to his own individual action;

f. Send plaintiff R. Rhodes a blank civil rights complaint form;

4. The Clerk of the Courtshall send plaintiff R. Rhodes an application to proceed in forma

pauperis by a prisoner;

5. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, plaintiff Rhodes shall file

a completed application to proceed in forma pauperis or pay the $350.00 filing fee;

6. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, plaintiff R. Rhodes shall

each file an amended complaint bearing his new case number and either pay the filing

fee in full or submit a completed application to proceed in forma pauperis bearing his

new case number;

7. Within thirty (30) days from the date of service of this order, plaintiff West shall file a

certified copy of histrust account statement in support of his request to proceed in forma

pauperis, or pay the $350.00 filing fee; and

8. Failure to comply with this order will result in a recommendations that the action be

dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 14, 2006 /s/ William M. Wunderlich 

j14hj0 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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