Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00228/USCOURTS-caed-2_08-cv-00228-8/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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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

CURTIS HIGHTOWER,

Plaintiff, No. CIV S-08-0228 EFB P

vs.

W. PATTON,

Defendant. ORDER

 /

Plaintiff is a state prisoner proceeding without counsel in an action brought under 42

U.S.C. § 1983. Defendant Patton was personally served, but has not filed a responsive pleading

to the complaint. See Dckt. No. 45. On March 8, 2011, the court ordered defendant to show

cause within 21 days why default should not be entered against him, and directed the clerk to

serve a copy of the order on Monica Anderson, Supervising Attorney General. The time has

passed and defendant has not responded to the order. Nor has anyone responded on defendant’s

behalf. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(a) states:

When a party against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed

to plead or otherwise defend, and that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise,

the clerk must enter the party’s default. 

Here, a review of the docket shows that defendant has failed to plead or otherwise defend. 

Case 2:08-cv-00228-MCE-EFB Document 52 Filed 04/15/11 Page 1 of 2
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Therefore, the clerk must enter defendant’s default. 

If plaintiff wishes to seek a default judgment against defendant, he is advised that Federal

Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b) (“Entering a Default Judgment”) states:

(1) By the Clerk. If the plaintiff’s claim is for a sum certain or a sum that can be

made certain by computation, the clerk–on the plaintiff’s request, with an

affidavit showing the amount due–must enter judgment for that amount and costs

against a defendant who has been defaulted for not appearing and who is neither a

minor nor an incompetent person.

(2) By the Court. In all other cases, the party must apply to the court for a default

judgment....If the party against whom a default judgment is sought has appeared

personally or by a representative, that party or its representative must be served

with written notice of the application at least 7 days before the hearing. The court

may conduct hearings or make referrals–preserving any federal statutory right to a

jury trial–when, to enter or effectuate judgment, it needs to:

(A) conduct an accounting;

(B) determine the amount of damages;

(C) establish the truth of any allegation by evidence; or 

(D) investigate any other matter. 

Thus, plaintiff may wish to file a motion requesting that default judgment be entered

against defendant.

Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that:

1. The Clerk shall enter defendant’s default; and

2. The Clerk shall serve a copy of this order on Monica Anderson, Supervising

Deputy Attorney General.

Dated: April 15, 2011.

Case 2:08-cv-00228-MCE-EFB Document 52 Filed 04/15/11 Page 2 of 2