Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-00879/USCOURTS-caed-2_13-cv-00879-1/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

ALONZO JAMES JOSEPH, No. 2:13-CV-0879-CMK-P

Plaintiff, 

vs. ORDER

S. HEATLEY, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

Plaintiff, a prisoner proceeding pro se, brings this civil rights action pursuant to 

42 U.S.C. § 1983. Pending before the court is plaintiff’s motion (Doc. 8) for permissive joinder

of inmate Miguel Garza as a co-plaintiff to this action. 

In this court’s experience, an action brought by multiple inmate plaintiffs

proceeding pro se 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 to parole, and the difficulties faced by inmates who

attempt to communicate with each other and with unincarcerated individuals. Therefore, while

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 20 allows the joinder of additional plaintiffs, Rule 21 permits the

court to deny a request such as plaintiff’s where joinder would not be appropriate. The court so

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finds in this case and will deny plaintiff’s request. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s motion (Doc. 8) for

permissive joinder is denied. 

DATED: July 24, 2014

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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