Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00732/USCOURTS-caed-2_03-cv-00732-22/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

MICHAEL HOLTSINGER,

Plaintiff, 

vs. No. CIV S-03-0732 MCE CMK P

J. M. BRIDDLE, et al.,

Defendants. ORDER 

 /

Plaintiff, a state prisoner who is represented by retained counsel, is proceeding

with a civil rights action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. On January 22, 2007, plaintiff filed several

documents with the court: (1) A Substitution of Counsel; (2) Motion for Extension of Time; (3)

Request for Extension of Time to Serve Defendants Knight and Nolan; (4) Request for an Entry

of Default on Defendant Tanya Knight; and (5) Motion for Judgement against Defendant Knight. 

(Docs. 164-168.) 

From plaintiff’s filings it is clear that his attorney seeks to withdraw from the case

and has sent plaintiff a substitution of counsel document for his signature. It is equally apparent

that plaintiff is unhappy with his attorney’s decision. In any case, no proper motion for

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Case 2:03-cv-00732-MCE -CMK Document 169 Filed 01/24/07 Page 1 of 2
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If plaintiff signed and submitted a copy of the “Substitution of Counsel” which he 1

submitted with his “Substitution of Counsel” notice, this would be considered a proper

substitution of counsel. However, by submitting such, plaintiff would be agreeing to substitute

himself as counsel in this matter. 

The court notes that this is the case at the present time. This is in no way a reflection of 2

how the court would approach a proper motion for substitution of counsel. 

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substitution of attorney has been filed , and, as such, plaintiff is still represented by counsel in this 1

matter. Accordingly, plaintiff should not be filing documents with the court pro se. 2

The court will deny the following motions without prejudice to renewal after

plaintiff or his attorney of record has submitted a proper request for substitution of counsel:

Motion for Extension of Time; Request for Extension of Time to Serve Defendants Knight and

Nolan; Request for an Entry of Default on Defendant Tanya Knight; and Motion for Judgement

against Defendant Knight. 

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. The following motions/requests are denied without prejudice to renewal after

plaintiff and/or his attorney of record submit a proper motion for substitution of counsel: Motion

for Extension of Time (doc. 165); Request for Extension of Time to Serve Defendants Knight and

Nolan(doc 166);Request for an Entry of Default on Defendant Tanya Knight (doc. 167); and

Motion for Judgement against Defendant Knight (doc. 168). 

2. The Clerk of the Court is directed to serve a copy of this order on plaintiff at the

following address:

Michael Holtsinger, J62569

P.O. Box 8457

Lancaster, CA 93539

DATED: January 24, 2007.

______________________________________

CRAIG M. KELLISON

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:03-cv-00732-MCE -CMK Document 169 Filed 01/24/07 Page 2 of 2