Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-00399/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-00399-15/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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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JESSE L. SERRANO,

Plaintiff,

v.

SCOTT RAWERS, et al.,

Defendants.

CASE NO. 1:11-cv-00399-MJS (PC)

ORDER SETTING BRIEFING SCHEDULE 

ON HECK DEFENSE 

(ECF No. 61)

FOURTEEN (14) DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil 

rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (ECF Nos. 1 & 8.) This action 

proceeds on Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint (ECF No. 6.) against Defendant Lucas 

for violation of Plaintiff’s Eighth Amendment rights. (ECF Nos. 11 & 12.)

On May 4, 2015, the Court issued a second scheduling order, requiring the 

parties to submit pretrial statements and setting the matter for trial on November 12, 

2015. (ECF No. 48.) A pretrial conference is currently set for October 9, 2015. (ECF 

No. 71.)

Case 1:11-cv-00399-EPG Document 72 Filed 09/17/15 Page 1 of 3
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Upon review of Defendant’s pretrial statement, it appears that Defendant wishes 

to assert the defense that Plaintiff’s suit is barred by Heck v. Humphrey, 512 U.S. 477 

(1994) and should be dismissed on that basis 

The Court is unable to determine, based on Defendant’s pretrial statement alone, 

whether Heck applies. Additionally, the Court notes that Defendant failed to raise this 

legal issue as an affirmative defense or by way of dispositive motion and the dispositive 

motion deadline has passed. 

Accordingly, it is HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. Within fourteen (14) days of service of this Order, Defendant shall file a 

brief on the following issues: a) Is Plaintiff’s suit barred by Heck, and b) 

Has Defendant waived the defense by failing to raise it earlier. In 

accordance with Local Rule 230(l), Plaintiff will have twenty-one (21) days

to respond, and Defendant will have seven (7) days to reply; and 

2. The pretrial conference date of October 9, 2015 and the trial date of 

November 12, 2015 are vacated to allow time for the parties to brief this 

issue and the Court to rule.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: September 16, 2015 /s/Michael J. Seng 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:11-cv-00399-EPG Document 72 Filed 09/17/15 Page 2 of 3
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Case 1:11-cv-00399-EPG Document 72 Filed 09/17/15 Page 3 of 3