Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01576/USCOURTS-caed-2_06-cv-01576-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1981 Sex Discrimination

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1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

HALEMA BUZAYAN, an individual, No. 2:06-cv-1576-MCE-DAD 

by and through JAMAL MOHAMED

BUZAYAN, as Guardian Ad Litem

for a Minor,

Plaintiff,

v. ORDER

CITY OF DAVIS POLICE

DEPARTMENT, JAMES HYDE,

individually and in his 

capacity as Chief of Police

of the City of Davis Police 

Department, STEVEN PIERCE,

individually and in his 

official capacity with the

City of Davis Police 

Department, PHENG LY,

individually and in his

capacity as an officer of

the City of Davis Police

Department, BEN HARTZ,

individually and in his

capacity as an officer of 

the City of Davis Police

Department, GINA ANDERSON,

individually and as Sergeant

of the City of Davis Police

Department,

Defendants.

----oo0oo----

Case 2:06-cv-01576-MCE-DAD Document 33 Filed 10/16/06 Page 1 of 3
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All further references to “Rule” or “Rules” are to the 1

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure unless otherwise noted.

2

In response to Plaintiff’s Complaint, Defendants have filed

1) Motions to Dismiss predicated on Federal Rule of Civil

Procedure 12(b)(7) and 12(b)(6); 2) a Partial Motion to Strike 1

in accordance with Rule 12(f); and 3) a Special Motion to Strike

pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 425.16.

Defendants initially argue that because Halema Buzayan is no

longer a minor, this action cannot be pursued in her name through

her father, Jamal Mohamed Buzayan, as Guardian ad Litem. 

Defendants contend that because the proper party has not been

named as Plaintiff, the Complaint as it currently stands is

subject to dismissal under Rule 12(b)(7) for failure to join an

essential party. In response, Plaintiff’s counsel concedes that

this lawsuit was inadvertently filed in the wrong capacity since

Halema Buzayan reached the age of majority several weeks before

this lawsuit was instituted on July 14, 2006. (Pl.’s Opp., 8:25-

27). Counsel concedes that amendment of the pleadings is

necessary in order to designate Halema Buzayan herself as the

named plaintiff and real party in interest pursuant to Rule

17(a), which requires an action be prosecuted in the name of the

real party in interest. (See id. at 8:25-9:3).

Given the undisputed fact that the current named Plaintiff,

Jamal Mohamed Buzayan, is no longer entitled to bring this action

on his daughter’s behalf, the discrepancy between the pleadings

and the actual real party in interest, Halema herself, must be

resolved before this matter can proceed further. 

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Case 2:06-cv-01576-MCE-DAD Document 33 Filed 10/16/06 Page 2 of 3
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 Because oral argument will not be of material assistance, 2

the Court ordered this matter submitted on the briefing. E.D.

Cal. Local Rule 78-230(h).

3

Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss under Rule 12(b)(7), which

alternatively can be deemed a motion to compel joinder of an

absent party under Rule 19, is accordingly GRANTED, with leave to

amend in order to designate the proper party plaintiff. An

amended complaint may be filed in that regard not later than

twenty (20) days following the date of this Order.

The Court declines to entertain the remaining arguments made

by Defendants, in response to the Complaint, until such time as

the proper plaintiff has been substituted into this litigation. 

Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), their Partial

Motion to Strike under Rule 12(f), and the Special Motion to

Strike under California Code of Civil Procedure § 425.16 are

accordingly DENIED at this juncture, without prejudice.2

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATED: October 16, 2006

_____________________________

MORRISON C. ENGLAND, JR

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 2:06-cv-01576-MCE-DAD Document 33 Filed 10/16/06 Page 3 of 3