Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00483/USCOURTS-caed-2_20-cv-00483-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

1 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

TORIANO GERMAINE HUDSON, 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

ROBERT NEUSCHMID, 

Defendant. 

No. 2:20-cv-0483-EFB P 

ORDER 

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42 

U.S.C. § 1983. In addition to filing an unsigned application for leave to proceed in forma 

pauperis, he has filed an unsigned complaint. He seeks an extension of time to cure these defects 

in his filings. 

 Federal courts must engage in a preliminary screening of cases in which prisoners seek 

redress from a governmental entity or officer or employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. 

§ 1915A(a). Plaintiff is cautioned that the court cannot conduct the required screening of 

plaintiff’s complaint because plaintiff has not signed it. See ECF No. 1. Similarly, the court 

cannot rule on plaintiff’s application for leave to proceed in forma pauperis because he has not 

signed it. Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requires that “[e]very pleading, written 

motion, and other paper . . . be signed by at least one attorney of record in the attorney’s name—

or by a party personally if the party is unrepresented.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a). Because plaintiff 

Case 2:20-cv-00483-JDP Document 10 Filed 04/03/20 Page 1 of 2
1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

2 

did not sign the complaint (ECF No. 1) or his in forma pauperis application, they will be 

disregarded. Within thirty days, plaintiff may file a signed complaint and a signed in forma 

pauperis application. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 3 (“A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint 

with the court.”). Failure to comply with this order may result in an order closing this case. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 

1. Plaintiff’s unsigned complaint and in forma pauperis application (ECF Nos. 1 & 2) are 

disregarded. 

2. Plaintiff’s request for an extension of time (ECF No. 8) is granted to the extent that 

within 30 days from the date of this order, plaintiff may submit a signed complaint and 

signed in forma pauperis application. Failure to comply with this order may result in 

dismissal. 

3. The Clerk of the court is directed to send to plaintiff a new form Application to Proceed 

In Forma Pauperis by a Prisoner. 

Dated: April 2, 2020. 

Case 2:20-cv-00483-JDP Document 10 Filed 04/03/20 Page 2 of 2