Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00225/USCOURTS-caed-1_12-cv-00225-2/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

WILBUR ATCHERLEY,

Plaintiff,

v.

DR. EDGAR CLARK, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:12-cv-00225 DLB PC

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S 

REQUEST FOR BLANK SUBPOENAS

DUCES TECUM

(Document 13)

Plaintiff Wilbur Atcherley (“Plaintiff”) is a California state prisoner proceeding pro se and in 

forma pauperis in this civil action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Plaintiff filed a First Amended 

Complaint on March 14, 2013. The First Amended Complaint is awaiting screening.

On July 31, 2013, Plaintiff filed a request for blank subpoenas duces tecum in each of his 

three pending civil actions, including this action.

As Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint has not yet been screened, discovery has not yet 

opened in this action. If and when the Court determines that Plaintiff’s First Amended Complaint 

states a cognizable claim for relief and Defendants file an answer, the Court will issue an order 

opening discovery. Plaintiff’s motion is therefore premature.

Once discovery is open, Plaintiff is informed of the following requirements. Plaintiff may be 

entitled to the issuance of a subpoena commanding the production of documents from a non-party, 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 45, and to service of the subpoena by the United States Marshal, 28 U.S.C. 1915(d). 

Case 1:12-cv-00225-LJO-DLB Document 14 Filed 08/07/13 Page 1 of 2
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However, the Court will consider granting such a request only if the documents sought from the nonparty are not equally available to Plaintiff and are not obtainable from Defendant through a request 

for the production of documents. Fed. R. Civ. P. 34. If Plaintiff wishes to make a request for the 

issuance of a records subpoena, he may file a motion requesting the issuance of a subpoena duces 

tecum that (1) identifies with specificity the documents sought and from whom, and (2) makes a 

showing in the motion that the records are only obtainable through that third party.

As set forth above, Plaintiff’s motion for the issuance of a subpoena duces tecum is 

premature and it is HEREBY DENIED on that ground.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: August 7, 2013 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE DEAC_Signature-END:

3b142a

Case 1:12-cv-00225-LJO-DLB Document 14 Filed 08/07/13 Page 2 of 2