Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-00442/USCOURTS-azd-2_05-cv-00442-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 864
Nature of Suit: Social Security - SSID Title XVI
Cause of Action: 42:405 Review of HHS Decision (SSID)

---

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

WO

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Deborah L. Williams,

Plaintiff,

v.

JO ANNE B. BARNHART,

Commissioner of Social Security,

Defendant.

NO. CV-05-442-PHX-SMM

ORDER

Pending before the Court is a letter from Plaintiff Deborah L. Williams expressing

“concerns about Civil Complaint #CV’05 0442 SMM.” (Dkt. 14.) Given that Plaintiff is

representing herself in this proceeding, the Court liberally construes her letter as a Motion

Requesting the Status of her case. 

Plaintiff filed a complaint in this action on February 7, 2005, appealing a decision by

the Commissioner of the United States Social Security Administration (the

“Commissioner”) pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 405(g). (Dkt. 1.) On March 22, 2005, this Court

granted Plaintiff’s request to proceed in forma pauperis, without prepayment of costs or

fees. (Dkt. 3.) The Court further ordered that “Plaintiff shall be responsible for service by

waiver or of the summons and complaint.” (Id.) 

Case 2:05-cv-00442-SMM Document 16 Filed 08/31/06 Page 1 of 3
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

-2-

To date, it does not appear that Plaintiff has served a copy of her Amended

Complaint or Summons upon the Commissioner, the United States Attorney’s Office for the

District of Arizona, or the United States Attorney General in accordance with Rule 4 of the

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Attached to this Order are the proper Summonses which

Plaintiff must serve with a copy of her Amended Complaint. 

After Plaintiff has completed service, the Commissioner will file (i) an answer to the

Amended Complaint and (ii) a record of the proceedings before the Administrative Law

Judge. The Court will then issue a “Scheduling Order,” which directs Plaintiff to file any

desired motions, including a motion for summary judgment, within sixty days from the date

of the Commissioner’s answer. This case will not be tried in court, as your letter suggests.

Therefore, the only procedure by which you may challenge the ruling of the Administrative

Law Judge is by filing a motion for summary judgment in accordance with the Scheduling

Order. If you file a motion for summary judgment, the Commissioner will respond to your

motion. You may then reply to the Commissioner’s response. After the summary judgment

motions have been briefed by both sides, the Court will decide the merits of the case and

issue an Order.

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED GRANTING Plaintiff’s Motion requesting Status of

her case. (Dkt. 14.)

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in accordance with Rule 4 of the Federal Rules

of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff shall effect service of her Amended Complaint and the attached

Summonses on the Commissioner of the United States Social Security Administration, the

United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and the United States Attorney

General no later than 120 days after this Order is issued. If Plaintiff cannot afford to serve

these parties, she may file an application requesting that the Court order service be made at

Government expense.

Case 2:05-cv-00442-SMM Document 16 Filed 08/31/06 Page 2 of 3
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

-3-

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk shall attach to this Order and send to

Plaintiff the Summonses, including addresses, for proper service on the Commissioner of

the Social Security Administration, the United States Attorney’s Office, Arizona, and the

United States Attorney General.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order shall serve as notice to the Plaintiff

under Rule 4(m) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that the Court shall dismiss this

action without further notice to the Plaintiff with respect to any Defendant named in the

Amended Complaint that is not served in accordance with Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of

Civil Procedure within the 120 day period referred to on page 1 of this Order. 

DATED this 30th day of August, 2006.

Case 2:05-cv-00442-SMM Document 16 Filed 08/31/06 Page 3 of 3