Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01773/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-01773-24/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

THOMAS GOOLSBY,

Plaintiff,

v.

J. GENTRY, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:11-cv-01773-LJO-DLB

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION 

TO TAKE DEPOSITION USING 

VIDEO/AUDIO EQUIPMENT

(Document 103)

Plaintiff Thomas Goolsby (“Plaintiff”) is a prisoner in the custody of the California 

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (“CDCR”). Plaintiff is proceeding pro se and in 

forma pauperis in this civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action proceeds 

against Defendants Gentry, Noyce, Eubanks, Tyree, Medrano, Holman, Holland and Steadman

for retaliation in violation of the First Amendment.

Plaintiff’s October 17, 2014, motion to compel is pending. Discovery closes on April 16, 

2015, and the dispositive motion deadline is May 15, 2015.

On March 16, 2015, Plaintiff filed a motion seeking permission to depose Defendants 

using video and/or audio recording equipment instead of a stenographer. Plaintiff states that he 

cannot afford the costs associated with a stenographer.

Case 1:11-cv-01773-LJO-DLB Document 104 Filed 03/20/15 Page 1 of 2
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Depositions, regardless of their form, must be conducted before an officer of the court and 

must be transcribed by an individual certified to so do. Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 30(b). Plaintiff is 

proceeding in forma pauperis, and he states that he does not have the ability to pay for a 

stenographer. However, there is no entitlement to take a deposition and to do so, a party must 

comply with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. 

Plaintiff suggests that once the deposition is recorded by video and/or audio mean, he will 

mail the tapes to “his family for transcribing.” ECF No. 103, at 2. Again, however, the Court 

cannot disregard the requirements as set forth in Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Plaintiff’s motion is therefore DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 20, 2015 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:11-cv-01773-LJO-DLB Document 104 Filed 03/20/15 Page 2 of 2