Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-01122/USCOURTS-caed-1_22-cv-01122-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

---

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

DEVONTE FIELDS,

Plaintiff,

v.

J. SANCHEZ, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.: 1:22-cv-01122-KES-CDB

ORDER STRIKING PLAINTIFF’S FILING 

OF JULY 23, 2024

(Doc. 30)

Plaintiff Devonte Fields is proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis in this civil rights 

action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. 

I. INTRODUCTION

The Court issued its Order Referring Case to Post-Screening ADR and Staying Case for 

90 Days on July 3, 2024. (Doc. 24.) The parties were directed to file notice, within 45 days, 

whether they wished to participate in an early settlement conference. (Id. at 2.) 

Defendants filed their notice on July 12, 2024, indicating a willingness to participate in an 

early settlement conference. (Doc. 26.) Plaintiff filed his notice on July 23, 2024, indicating a 

willingness to participate in an in person early settlement conference. (Doc. 31.)

Also on July 23, 2024, Plaintiff filed a document titled “Responds to Defendants Notice 

Regarding Early Settlement Conference; Ask this Court to Appoint Plaintiff with Warranted 

Appointment of Counsel to Represent Him.” (Doc. 30.) 

Case 1:22-cv-01122-KES-CDB Document 33 Filed 07/25/24 Page 1 of 2
1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

2

II. DISCUSSION

This Court’s July 3, 2024, order stayed this action for 90 days and expressly stated: “No 

pleadings or motions may be filed in this case during the stay.” (See Doc. 24 at 2.) The Court 

recognizes Plaintiff’s most recent request is dated and signed July 18, 2024—meaning it was 

prepared prior to Plaintiff receiving the Court’s July 19, 2024, order striking his earlier request

given the stay of these proceedings. (See Doc. 29.) In any event, Plaintiff’s most recent request 

will also be stricken because the action was stayed for 90 days as of July 3, 2024, and the Court 

ordered that no motions could be filed during that stay. Plaintiff may refile his motion for the 

appointment of counsel after the Court has ordered the stay lifted. 

Plaintiff is advised that because all parties to this action have indicated a willingness to 

participate in early ADR, defense counsel will be contacting the undersigned’s courtroom deputy 

to schedule a settlement conference. (See Doc. 24 at 2.) Once a date and time have been 

identified, the Court will issue an order setting this case for a settlement conference and outlining 

the applicable procedures and deadlines. Plaintiff is further advised that the settlement conference 

will be held via videoconferencing, as opposed to “in person,” as is Plaintiff’s preference. The 

undersigned conducts settlement conferences via videoconferencing due to a heavy caseload and 

impacted schedule, and due to the costs and logistics associated with arranging an in person 

proceeding in a prisoner civil rights action. Notwithstanding the videoconference format, Plaintiff 

will have the opportunity to discuss his case “live” or in real time with the undersigned, in a 

manner very similar to an in-person proceeding.

III. CONCLUSION AND ORDER

Accordingly, Plaintiff’s motion for the appointment of counsel (Doc. 30) is STRICKEN. 

Plaintiff may resubmit the motion if and when the stay of these proceedings has been lifted by the 

Court.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: July 24, 2024 ___________________ _

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:22-cv-01122-KES-CDB Document 33 Filed 07/25/24 Page 2 of 2