Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01595/USCOURTS-caed-1_23-cv-01595-3/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

JOSE MIGUEL RIOS,

Plaintiff,

v.

ORTIZ,

Defendant.

Case No. 1:23-cv-01595-HBK (PC)

ORDER DISREGARDING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST FOR CLERK’S DEFAULT 

(Doc. No. 14)

CLERK TO PROVIDE CONSENT/DECLINE 

OF MAGISTRATE JUDGE JURISDICTION 

FORM TO PARTIES

OCTOBER 18, 2024 DEADLINE

Plaintiff Jose Miguel Rios, a pretrial detainee in the Fresno County Jail proceeds pro se

and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. (Doc. No. 

1, 4). On August 28, 2024, Plaintiff requested the Clerk to enter a default against Defendant 

Ortiz, whom Plaintiff claims failed to timely respond to his Complaint. (Id. at1). 

Entry of default by the Clerk of Court is appropriate as to any party against whom a 

judgment for affirmative relief is sought that has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided 

by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and where that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise. 

See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). The entry of default by the Clerk is a prerequisite for an entry of 

judgment upon that default. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b). No default was entered by the Clerk in this 

Case 1:23-cv-01595-HBK Document 16 Filed 09/19/24 Page 1 of 2
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case. See docket. 

The Clerk properly withheld entry of default. Defendant Ortiz has not failed to timely file 

a response to Plaintiff’s Complaint. On July 19, 2024, Defendant Ortiz agreed to waive service of 

summons. (Doc. No. 13). Consequently, Defendant Ortiz’ response to the Complaint was not 

due until September 19, 2024. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(3). On September 16, 2024, Defendant 

Ortiz timely filed an Answer to Plaintiff’s Complaint. (Doc. No. 15). Thus, the Clerk properly 

withheld entry of default. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). 

Accordingly, it is ORDERED:

1. Plaintiff’s request for entry of clerk’s default (Doc. No. 14) was properly withheld.

2. The Clerk of Court shall provide a copy of the Consent/Decline to the Jurisdiction of a 

Magistrate Judge form to the Parties. 

3. The Parties shall make their respective elections and return the Consent/Decline to the 

Jurisdiction of a Magistrate Judge form no later than October 19, 2024. 

Dated: September 19, 2024 

HELENA M. BARCH-KUCHTA

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:23-cv-01595-HBK Document 16 Filed 09/19/24 Page 2 of 2