Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01298/USCOURTS-caed-2_05-cv-01298-0/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

Alfred Vincent Ambriz,

Plaintiff, Case No. 05-1298 DFL PAN P

vs. Order

Scott Kernan, Warden,

Defendants.

-oOoPlaintiff is a prisoner, without counsel, who challenges the

conditions of his confinement on a form petition for a writ of

habeas corpus. He seeks leave to commence a class action against

prison officials for civil rights violations in forma pauperis

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(a). This proceeding was referred to

this court by Local Rule 72-302 pursuant to 28 U.S.C.

§ 636(b)(1). 

Plaintiff’s declaration makes the showing required by 28 

U.S.C. § 1915(a)(1) and (2).

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Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(1), plaintiff must pay the

$250 filing fee required by 28 U.S.C. § 1914(a). Plaintiff must

make an initial partial payment of $2.80. Plaintiff must make

monthly payments of 20 percent of the preceding month’s income

credited to his trust fund account. 28 U.S.C. § 1915(b)(2). The

agency having custody of plaintiff shall forward payments from

plaintiff’s account to the clerk of the court each time the

amount in the account exceeds $10 until the filing fee is paid.

Pro se prisoners have neither the authority to represent

anyone but themselves nor the competence to protect the interests

of other prisoners as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 23. See

Russell v. United States, 308 F.2d 98 (9th Cir. 1962); Oxendine

v. Williams, 509 F.2d 1405, 1407 (4th Cir. 1975). Since

plaintiff proceeds pro se, he cannot represent a class. To

pursue claims on his own behalf, plaintiff must file an amended

complaint. 

Plaintiff’s amended complaint must adhere to the following

requirements:

A complaint must contain a caption including the name of the

court and the names of all parties. Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(a). 

More than one claim against a single defendant may be joined

in the same action. Fed. R. Civ. P. 18(a).

Claims against different defendants may be joined in the

same action only if the claims arise from the same transactions

or occurrences. Fed. R. Civ. P. 20(a).

Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence

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1 Negligence is not actionable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. However, to

illustrate the simplicity and brevity of statement contemplated by the rules

(see Fed. R. Civ. P. 84), this example of a complaint based upon an automobile

accident is provided:

1. Allegation of jurisdiction.

2. On June 1, 1936, in a public highway called Boylston Street in

Boston, Massachusetts, defendant negligently drove a motor vehicle

against plaintiff who was then crossing said highway.

3. As a result plaintiff was thrown down and had his leg broken

and was otherwise injured, was prevented from transacting his business,

suffered great pain of body and mind, and incurred expenses for medical

attention and hospitalization in the sum of one thousand dollars.

Wherefore plaintiff demands judgment against defendant in the sum

of ____ dollars and costs.

Form 9, Appendix of Forms to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

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must be set apart as a “separate count.” Within each count, the

circumstances that give rise to the claim must be alleged in

separate, numbered paragraphs. Fed. R. Civ. P. 10(b). 

 These allegations must be short and plain, simple and

direct and describe the relief plaintiff seeks. Fed. R. Civ. P.

8(a); Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N.A., 534 U.S. 506, 514 (2002);

Galbraith v. County of Santa Clara, 307 F.3d 1119, 1125 (9th Cir.

2002).1

Plaintiff must sign the complaint. Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a).

The amended complaint must be complete in itself without

reference to plaintiff’s original complaint. Local Rule 15-220.

Plaintiff is admonished that a prisoner pursuing civil

rights claims without counsel, like all other litigants, is

required to obey the court’s orders, including an order to amend

his pleading. Ferdik v. Bonzelet, 963 F.2d 1258 (9th Cir. 1992);

Pagtalunan v. Galaza, 291 F.3d 639 (9th Cir. 2002). His failure

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to obey the court’s orders and the local and federal rules and

meet his responsibilities in prosecuting this action may justify

dismissal, including dismissal with prejudice. Ferdik, 963 F.2d

1258 (affirming dismissal with prejudice for pro se prisoner’s

failure to comply with order requiring filing of amended civil

rights complaint); Pagtalunan, 291 F.3d 639 (affirming dismissal

with prejudice for pro se prisoner’s failure to comply with order

requiring filing of amended habeas petition); Moore v. United

States, 193 F.R.D. 647 (N.D. Cal. 2000) (denying motion for leave

to file third amended complaint and dismissing action with

prejudice for pro se plaintiff’s failure to comply with Rule 8);

Franklin v. Murphy, 745 F.2d 1221, 1232-33 (9th Cir. 1984)

(affirming dismissal with prejudice for pro se prisoner’s failure

to prosecute); Carey v. King, 856 F.2d 1439 (9th Cir. 1988)

(affirming dismissal without prejudice for pro se prisoner’s

failure to comply with local rule requiring he notify the court

of any change of address).

Accordingly, the court hereby orders that:

1. Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis is

granted. Plaintiff must pay the $250 filing fee. Plaintiff is

assessed an initial partial filing fee of $2.80. The fee shall

be collected and paid in accordance with the notice to the

Director of the California Department of Corrections filed

concurrently herewith.

2. Plaintiff’s complaint is dismissed with leave to amend

within 60 days. Plaintiff shall file an original and one copy

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of his amended complaint, which must bear the docket number

assigned to this case and be titled “First Amended Complaint.” 

Failure to comply with this order may result in my recommending

the action be dismissed and, if warranted, that dismissal will be

with prejudice. The Clerk of the Court shall send to plaintiff

the form civil rights complaint used in this court.

Dated: July 12, 2005. 

 /s/ Peter A. Nowinski 

 PETER A. NOWINSKI

 Magistrate Judge

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