Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-00538/USCOURTS-caed-1_11-cv-00538-6/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

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

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

Plaintiff Tracy Taylor is appearing pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights action 

pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

On November 12, 2013, Defendants filed an answer to Plaintiff’s first amended complaint. 

(ECF No. 34.) 

On November 22, 2013, Plaintiff filed a document entitled “Plaintiff Reply to Defendants 

Counterclaim for Relief.” (ECF NO. 37.) On December 3, 2013, Defendants filed a motion to strike 

Plaintiff’s Reply. (ECF No. 38.)

Defendants submit that although Plaintiff has titled his pleading as a reply to a counterclaim, 

Defendants have not yet filed a counterclaim against Plaintiff in this case, and the reply addresses only 

matters raised in Defendants’ answer. 

///

///

TRACY TAYLOR,

 Plaintiff,

v.

SHAYE O’HANNESON, et al.,

Defendants.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

Case No.: 1:11-cv-00538-LJO-SAB (PC)

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION 

TO STRIKE PLAINTIFF’S “REPLY TO 

DEFENDANTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR RELIEF”

[ECF Nos. 37, 38]

Case 1:11-cv-00538-SAB Document 39 Filed 12/24/13 Page 1 of 2
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

Pursuant to Rule 7(a), of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a reply may be filed to answer, 

if so ordered to by the court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(a)(7). If an unauthorized reply is filed, it should be 

stricken and deemed a nullity. 

In their answer, Defendants have not raised any counterclaims against Plaintiff. (ECF NO. 34.) 

Plaintiff references the prayer for relief section of Defendants’ answer and contends they have no right 

to those claims. In the prayer for relief section, Defendants request dismissal of the complaint, entry 

of judgment for Defendants, costs of suit and attorney’s fees, and such other relief as the court deems 

necessary. The relief portion of Defendants’ answer does not set forth any counterclaims, rather the 

prayer for relief is merely the relief to which Defendants claim they are entitled should they prevail in 

this action. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7(a)(3) provides that only “an answer to a counterclaim 

designated as a counterclaim” is allowed as a pleading. Although an answer to a counterclaim is 

referenced, it is limited to pleadings that might be construed as counterclaims. Thus, a responsive 

pleading is not allowed unless the alleged counterclaim is designated as such. In this case, Defendants 

have filed an answer to the complaint, and no counterclaims have been designated. Therefore, 

Plaintiff’s reply is not authorized, and should be stricken from the record. 

Based on the foregoing, Defendants’ request to strike the reply to the answer from the record 

shall is GRANTED, and the Court of Clerk shall strike Plaintiff’s reply to Defendants’ answer. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: December 23, 2013 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:11-cv-00538-SAB Document 39 Filed 12/24/13 Page 2 of 2