Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_00-cv-05817/USCOURTS-caed-1_00-cv-05817-3/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

JOSH THOMAS,

Plaintiff,

v.

D.L. STEPHENS, et. al.,

Defendants.

 /

CV F 00 5817 AWI SMS P 

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE (Doc. 152.)

Josh Thomas (“Plaintiff”) is a state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in

this civil rights action filed pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

On September 26, 2005, Plaintiff filed a “Motion for Settlement Conference.” In this

document, Plaintiff indicates that following the issuance of an Order “against the defendants the

Plaintiff can move for a settlement without further hearing or argument, the court can also

thereupon settle the judgment and direct the defendants order settlement without further hearing

or argument.” From this statement, it appears that Plaintiff believes the Court and force the

parties to enter into settlement. However, Plaintiff is mistaken. 

Case 1:00-cv-05817-LJO-SMS Document 154 Filed 10/03/05 Page 1 of 2
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The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure authorize settlement discussions at any pretrial

conference. Fed.R.Civ.P. 16(c)(9). While federal courts have the authority to require the parties

to engage in settlement conferences, they have no authority to coerce settlements. Goss Graphic

Systems, Inc. v. DEV Industries, Inc., 267 F.3d 624, 627 (7th Cir. 2001.) At this stage in the

proceedings, Defendants have not indicated to the Court that they are willing to participate in a

settlement conference. No settlement conference will be scheduled until such time as both

parties agree to participate in one. 

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion for the Court to Order Defendants to settle the case

without trial is DENIED. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: October 2, 2005 /s/ Sandra M. Snyder 

icido3 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:00-cv-05817-LJO-SMS Document 154 Filed 10/03/05 Page 2 of 2