Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01007/USCOURTS-caed-1_14-cv-01007-1/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

FREDDY MORALES,

Plaintiff,

vs.

CORDONIA, 

 Defendant.

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1:14cv01007 DLB PC

ORDER PROVIDING DEFENDANT 

CORDONIA WITH THE OPPORTUNITY 

TO SHOW GOOD CAUSE FOR FAILING 

TO WAIVE SERVICE

(Document 17)

Plaintiff Freddy Morales (“Plaintiff”), a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma 

pauperis, filed this civil rights action filed on June 27, 2014.

On February 2, 2015, the Court ordered the United States Marshal to serve process upon 

Defendant Cordonia. The Marshal was directed to attempt to secure a waiver of service before 

attempting personal service on Defendant. If a waiver of service was not returned by a 

Defendant within sixty days, the Marshal was directed to effect personal service on the 

Defendant in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 

and 28 U.S.C. § 566(c), without prepayment of costs, and to file the return of service with 

evidence of any attempt to secure a waiver of service and with evidence of all costs subsequently 

incurred in effecting personal service. 

Case 1:14-cv-01007-DLB Document 20 Filed 06/23/15 Page 1 of 3
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On June 17, 2015, the United States Marshal filed a return of service with a USM-285 

form showing charges of $91.88 for effecting personal service on Defendant Cordonia. ECF No. 

17. 55. The form shows that a waiver of service form was mailed to Defendant on February 5, 

2015. 

Pursuant to the Court’s order, Defendant is required to return the waiver to the United 

States Marshal and the filing of an answer or a motion does not relieve them of this obligation. 

Defendant Ross did not return a waiver, which resulted in the execution of personal service on 

June 2, 2015.

Defendant Cordonia filed his answer on June 22, 2015.

Rule 4 provides that “[a]n individual, corporation, or association that is subject to service 

under Rule 4(e), (f), or (h) has a duty to avoid unnecessary expenses of serving the summons.” 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1). “If a defendant located within the United States fails, without good 

cause, to sign and return a waiver requested by a plaintiff located within the United States, the 

court must impose on the defendant . . . the expenses later incurred in making service. . . .” Fed. 

R. Civ. P. 4(d)(2)(A).

It appears that Defendant was given the opportunity required by Rule 4(d)(1) to waive 

service, but he failed to return his waiver to the United States Marshal, although he did make an 

appearance in the action. The Court shall provide Defendant with the opportunity to show good 

cause for failing to waive service. If Defendant either fails to respond to this order or responds 

but fails to show good cause, the costs incurred in effecting service shall be imposed on 

Defendant. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Defendant Cordonia may, within thirty (30) days from the date of this order, 

show good cause for failing to waive service; and

Case 1:14-cv-01007-DLB Document 20 Filed 06/23/15 Page 2 of 3
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2. If Defendant either fails to respond to this order or responds but fails to show 

good cause, the Court shall impose upon Defendant Cordonia the costs incurred in effecting 

service.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 22, 2015 /s/ Dennis L. Beck 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:14-cv-01007-DLB Document 20 Filed 06/23/15 Page 3 of 3