Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01479/USCOURTS-caed-2_07-cv-01479-4/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

BRIAN JOSEPH STOLTIE,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-07-1479 MCE JFM P

vs.

ANA SOARES, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding in propria persona and in forma pauperis

with a civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On November 28, 2007, plaintiff filed a

request for summary judgment based on defendants’ failure to “dispute . . . any material facts set

forth in the complaint.” (Id. at 2.) Plaintiff notes that despite this court’s August 28, 2007 order

directing the United States Marshal to serve process on defendants, defendants have failed to file

an answer.

Plaintiff is advised that a motion for summary judgment is premature. Plaintiff’s

motion is more properly construed as a motion for entry of default based on defendants’ failure to

timely answer. Plaintiff is correct that the United States Marshal was directed to serve

defendants. However, the United States Marshal has not yet returned the summons to indicate

service of process has been accomplished. Because the court record does not reflect that service

Case 2:07-cv-01479-MCE -JFM Document 17 Filed 01/18/08 Page 1 of 2
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of process has yet been accomplished, plaintiff’s motion is premature. Accordingly, this court

cannot enter a clerk’s default for defendants’ alleged failure to answer or enter summary

judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. Plaintiff’s motion will be denied without prejudice. 

During the pendency of plaintiff’s motion, all defendants filed an answer. Thus,

the court need not order the U.S. Marshal to apprise the court of the status of service.

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that plaintiff’s November 28, 2007

motion for summary judgment, construed as a motion for entry of default, is denied without

prejudice. 

DATED: January 17, 2008.

/001

stol1479.sos

Case 2:07-cv-01479-MCE -JFM Document 17 Filed 01/18/08 Page 2 of 2