Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-00489/USCOURTS-caed-2_09-cv-00489-3/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

KATHLYN A. RHODES,

Plaintiff, No. 2:09-cv-00489 MCE KJN PS

vs.

PLACER COUNTY, et al., ORDER

Defendants.

 /

On February 10, 2010, and February 19, 2010, the United States Marshal’s Office

filed a memorandum seeking reimbursement for service of process fees pursuant to Federal Rule

of Civil Procedure 4(d)(2). (Dkt. Nos. 40, 42.) Under that Rule, if a defendant 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 incurred in effecting service. Fed. R. Civ.

Proc. 4(d)(2)(A). 

The United States Marshal’s office indicates that it mailed service of process to

defendants Thomas J. Platina and American Medical Response on October 29, 2009. (Dkt. Nos.

39, 43.) There is no evidence in the record that either of these defendants returned or executed a

waiver. As a result, the Marshal effectuated personal service on defendant Thomas J. Platina on

February 8, 2010, and defendant American Medical Response on February 9, 2010. Id. The

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Marshal has indicated that it incurred a total of $57.20 in costs related to personal service on

defendant Thomas J. Platina and $68.50 in costs related to personal service on defendant

American Medical Response. Id.

The Marshal is entitled to the costs sought. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d)

provides, in relevant part:

(d) Waiving Service.

(1) Requesting a Waiver. An 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. The plaintiff may notify

such a defendant that an action has been commenced and request that the

defendant waive service of a summons. . . .

(2) Failure to Waive. 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:

 (A) the expenses later incurred in making service; and 

 (B) the reasonable expenses, including attorney’s fees, of any motion

required to collect those service expenses. 

Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(d)(1), (2). The undersigned finds that defendants Thomas J. Platina and

American Medical Response were given an opportunity to waive service as provided in Rule

4(d)(2), but failed to do so.

For the foregoing reasons, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Within 14 days of the date of service of this order, defendant Thomas J. Platina

shall either pay to the United States Marshals Service the sum of $57.20 or, alternatively, file

with the court a written statement showing good cause for failing to waive service. Payment

should be mailed to: U.S. Marshal’s Service, 501 I Street, Suite 5600, Sacramento, California

95814. The Clerk of Court shall serve a copy of this order on the United States Marshals

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Service.

2. Within 14 days of the date of service of this order, defendant American

Medical Response shall either pay to the United States Marshals Service the sum of $68.50 or,

alternatively, file with the court a written statement showing good cause for failing to waive

service. Payment should be mailed to: U.S. Marshal’s Service, 501 I Street, Suite 5600,

Sacramento, California 95814. The Clerk of Court shall serve a copy of this order on the United

States Marshals Service.

IT IS SO ORDERED

 DATED: April 12, 2010

_____________________________________

KENDALL J. NEWMAN

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 2:09-cv-00489-MCE-KJN Document 62 Filed 04/13/10 Page 3 of 3