Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06118/USCOURTS-caed-1_03-cv-06118-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

STEVEN WARD LITTLE, )

)

)

)

Plaintiff, )

)

v. )

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SHANDRA THOMAS KINSEY, et al., )

)

)

)

Defendants. )

 )

1:03cv6118 OWW DLB

ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANTS’

MOTION TO COMPEL AND 

REQUEST FOR SANCTIONS

(Document 40)

Defendants County of Merced, Douglas Hays, John McKnight, and Caleb Heggland

(“Defendants”) filed the instant motion to compel responses to special interrogatories and request

for sanctions on April 13, 2005. The matter was heard on May 27, 2005, before the Honorable

Dennis L. Beck, United States Magistrate Judge. William Terrence appeared on behalf of

Defendants. Plaintiff, appearing in this action pro se, did not appear at the hearing.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiff filed the instant action on August 18, 2003. The general bases of the underlying

claims are (1) that officials of the California Highway Patrol and the County of Merced violated

his civil rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 by using excessive force in arresting and detaining

Plaintiff; and (2) that Plaintiff’s first attorney committed legal malpractice in his representation

of Plaintiff.

Case 1:03-cv-06118-OWW -DLB Document 44 Filed 05/31/05 Page 1 of 3
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On January 27, 2005, the Court granted Plaintiff’s counsel’s motion for withdrawal. The

motion was based on counsel’s inability to communicate with Plaintiff. Plaintiff is now

appearing pro se. The case has not been scheduled.

On April 13, 2005, Defendants filed the instant motion to compel responses to special

interrogatories and request for sanctions. Plaintiff has not filed an opposition or otherwise

contacted the Court.

DISCUSSION

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37 (a)(2)(B) provides that if a party fails to answer an

interrogatory submitted under Rule 33, the discovering party may move for an order compelling

an answer. If the motion is granted, the Court shall award the reasonable expenses incurred in

making the motion, including attorney’s fees, to the moving party. Fed.R.Civ.Proc. 37(a)(4)(A). 

On February 14, 2005, Defendants served Plaintiff, appearing pro se, with special

interrogatories. Responses were due on March 16, 2005. On March 31, 2005, after not receiving

a response, Defendants’ counsel sent Plaintiff a letter requesting that he serve responses by April

7, 2005. To date, Plaintiff has not provided responses or responded to the March 31, 2005, letter. 

As Plaintiff has not responded to the discovery or provided an explanation for his failure to

respond, Defendants’ motion to compel is GRANTED. 

Defendants also request sanctions in the amount of $600.00. According to Defendants’

counsel Michael G. Marderosian, his rate is $200.00 per hour. Declaration of Michael G.

Marderosian (“Marderosian Dec.”), ¶ 6. He has spent 1.5 hours preparing this motion and

expects to spend an additional 1.5 hours preparing for and attending the hearing on the motion,

for a total sanction request of $600.00. Marderosian Dec., ¶ 6. However, because Plaintiff did

not file an opposition to the motion, there was little, if any, preparation necessary for the hearing. 

Moreover, the time spent at the hearing was minimal. Accordingly, Defendants are entitled to

sanctions in the amount of $300.00, an amount that represents the cost of the time spent in

preparing the instant motion.

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ORDER

Defendants’ motion to compel is GRANTED. Plaintiff is ORDERED to provide

responses to Defendants’ special interrogatories within ten (10) days of the date of service of this

order. 

Defendants’ request for sanctions is also GRANTED. Plaintiff SHALL PAY

SANCTIONS to Defendants’ counsel in the amount of $300.00. This amount shall be paid on or

before June 30, 2005. Failure to comply with this order will result in further sanctions which

may include evidentiary sanctions or dismissal of this action.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: May 27, 2005 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

3b142a UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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