Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-01636/USCOURTS-caed-1_16-cv-01636-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 28:1331 Fed. Question

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RICHARD DEAN JOHNSON, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

CITY OF ATWATER, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 1:16-cv-01636-AWI-SAB

ORDER REQUIRING PLAINTIFFS TO 

SHOW CAUSE WHY FIRST AMENDED 

COMPLAINT SHOULD NOT BE 

STRICKEN FROM THE RECORD

(ECF No. 12)

FIVE DAY DEADLINE

Plaintiffs Richard Johnson and Lori Johnson filed this action in the Superior Court for the 

County of Merced on September 20, 2016. On October 28, 2016, this action was removed by 

Defendants City of Atwater, Frank Pietro, Tyna Lamison, Samuel Joseph, David Walker, Don 

Wisdom, Robert Vargas, Dayton Snyder, Ken Lee, Fabian Velasquez, and Adolfo Morales. The 

removing defendants filed an answer on November 20, 2016. Defendant John Smothers filed an 

answer on January 25, 2017. Plaintiff filed a first amended complaint on February 28, 2017.

Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that 

A party may amend its pleading once as a matter of course within:

(A) 21 days after serving it, or

(B) if the pleading is one to which a responsive pleading is required, 21 days after 

service of a responsive pleading or 21 days after service of a motion under Rule 

12(b), (e), or (f), whichever is earlier.

(2) Other Amendments. In all other cases, a party may amend its pleading only 

with the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave. The court should 

freely give leave when justice so requires.

Case 1:16-cv-01636-AWI-SAB Document 13 Filed 03/01/17 Page 1 of 2
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Fed. R. Civ. P. 15 (a).

In this instance, it has been more than twenty one days since an answer has been filed so 

Plaintiff must either have the opposing parties written consent or leave of the court to file an 

amended complaint. Plaintiff did not file a stipulation or a motion to amend the complaint. 

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that, within five (5) days from the date of 

service of this order, Plaintiff shall show cause in writing why the amended complaint filed 

February 28, 2017 should not be stricken from the record.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 1, 2017 

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:16-cv-01636-AWI-SAB Document 13 Filed 03/01/17 Page 2 of 2