Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00865/USCOURTS-caed-1_07-cv-00865-4/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

ANTHONY D. WAFER,

Plaintiff,

v.

W. SUESBERRY, et al.,

Defendants.

 /

CASE NO. 1:07-cv–00865-AWI-BAM PC

ORDER VACATING FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS (ECF No. 22)

ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS

PREMATURE (ECF No. 29)

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR COPIES AND DIRECTING CLERK’S

OFFICE TO SEND PLAINTIFF A COPY OF

THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

(ECF No. 30)

Plaintiff AnthonyD. Wafer is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this

civil rights action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This action was filed on June 18, 2007. (ECF No.

1.) On February 22, 2008, the complaint was dismissed, with leave to amend. (ECF No. 9.) On

May 15, 2009, the first amended complaint was dismissed, with leave to amend. (ECF No. 13.) On

July19, 2010,Plaintiffsecond amended complaint was screened, and findings and recommendations

issued recommending dismissing the action for failure to state a cognizable claim. (ECF No. 22.) 

On October 17, 2011, this action was reassigned to the undersigned. (ECF No. 28.) On December

29, 2011, Plaintiff filed a motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 29.) On January 12, 2012,

Plaintiff filed a motion for a copy of his summary judgment motion. (ECF No. 30.) 

Based upon the reassignment of this action, the Court has reviewed this case and determined

that the previously issued findings and recommendations shall be vacated. The Court is required to

screen complaints brought by prisoners seeking relief against a governmental entity or officer or

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employee of a governmental entity. 28 U.S.C. § 1915A(a). The Court must dismiss a complaint or

portion thereof if the prisoner has raised claims that are legally “frivolous or malicious,” that “fails

to state a claim on which relief may be granted,” or that “seeks monetary relief against a defendant

who is immune from such relief.” 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B). Plaintiff’s complaint will be screened

in due time. 

The Court has yet to find that Plaintiff’s second amended complaint states a claim upon

which relief could be granted. As such, none of the Defendants have been served or have appeared

in this case. With this procedural background in mind, the Court will address Plaintiff’s pending

motion. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 contemplates that, prior to filing a motion for summary

judgment, the opposing party should have a sufficient opportunity to discover information essential

to its position. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 250 (1986). In other words, the

case must be sufficiently advanced in terms of pretrial discovery for the summary judgment target

to know what evidence likely can be mustered and be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present

such evidence. Portsmouth Square, Inc., v. Shareholders Protective Comm., 770 F.2d 866, 869 (9th

Cir.1985). Until such time as Defendants have entered an appearance and had the opportunity to

conduct discovery, Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment is premature. Once Defendants have

filed an answer, a discovery order will be entered, and a deadline for the filing of dispositive motions

will be set.

Finally, Plaintiff requests a copy of the motion for his summary judgment. Plaintiff is

advised that it is his responsibility to keep copies of any documents that he submits to the court and

he needs to take whatever steps necessary, whether it be hand copying the motion or planning ahead

to allow himself enough time to obtain the copies prior to submitting his pleadings. If Plaintiff needs

additional time to obtain copies of his pleadings, he needs to file a motion for extension of time prior

to the deadline provided by the court. 

Generally, the Clerk’s Office will provide copies for Plaintiff at a cost of $0.50 per page. The

Court will make an exception in this instance and will direct the Clerk’s Office to provide a copy of

the motion for summary judgment at no charge. However, Plaintiff is advised that any further copies

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will need to paid for by Plaintiff. 

Based on the foregoing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. The findings and recommendations, filed July 19, 2010, is VACATED;

2. Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, filed December 19, 2011, is DENIED; and

3. Plaintiff’s request for copies is GRANTED, and the Clerk’s Office is directed to send

Plaintiff a copy of the motion for summary judgment, filed December 19, 2011.

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

Dated: July 18, 2012 /s/ Barbara A. McAuliffe 

10c20k UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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